AI Generated Summary
- In a bold escalation of its war on drugs, the Punjab government is rolling out the second phase of its anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nasheyan Virudh 2.
- Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is set to officially inaugurate the initiative on Monday, recognizing it as a vital step toward empowering the public in the state’s anti-drug efforts.
- 0, the government is banking on public participation as a key weapon in its long-term strategy to rid Punjab of narcotics.
In a bold escalation of its war on drugs, the Punjab government is rolling out the second phase of its anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nasheyan Virudh 2.0, with a fresh approach that puts citizens at the forefront of the battle.
This phase marks a strategic shift from enforcement to community-led vigilance. Village-level and ward-level defence committees will be established across the state, aimed at creating a network of local watchdogs. These committees—comprised of 10 to 20 members each—will monitor and report drug-related activities within their communities, working closely with local police to deter smugglers and peddlers.
Ludhiana will be the first district to see these committees come into action. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is set to officially inaugurate the initiative on Monday, recognizing it as a vital step toward empowering the public in the state’s anti-drug efforts. Officials have indicated that such committees will soon be formed in every village and urban ward across Punjab.
Retired soldiers, educators, and former government officials are expected to be given priority in the committee selection process, given their experience and standing within their communities.
The Aam Aadmi Party-led state government originally launched Yudh Nasheyan Virudh in March this year, under the stewardship of a cabinet committee headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. The first phase focused primarily on dismantling the drug supply network through aggressive policing. Since its inception, law enforcement authorities have arrested over 24,000 individuals involved in drug trafficking and related crimes.
With the launch of Phase 2.0, the government is banking on public participation as a key weapon in its long-term strategy to rid Punjab of narcotics. By building local vigilance networks, officials hope to create a deterrent effect and enhance community resilience against the drug menace.
As the campaign gathers momentum, all eyes are on Ludhiana, where this innovative model will first be tested. If successful, it could pave the way for a broader national strategy in the fight against drug abuse.
