Akali and Congress only promoted drug mafia, making Punjab a drug-free state is Mann government’s mission: Sandhu

Tarn Taran(The Uttam Hindu): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu has lauded Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vigorous campaign “War Against Drugs,” saying that due to the strong political will of the AAP government, the very roots of drug trafficking in Punjab have been shaken. He said that the arrest of 35,065 drug smugglers in just 247 days proves that the Mann Government is fully serious and committed to its promise of making Punjab a drug-free state.

In a statement issued here, Harmeet Singh Sandhu, referring to the latest figures of the Punjab Police’s operations, said that the action carried out on the 247th day was highly commendable. Under the strict supervision of 55 gazetted officers, over 100 police teams comprising more than 800 personnel conducted raids at 295 locations across the state, interrogated 289 suspects, registered 60 FIRs, and arrested 63 drug smugglers in a single day. He said that this reflects the AAP government’s policy of “Zero Tolerance.” During the operation, the recovery of 332 grams of heroin and 5,623 intoxicant pills indicates that the police are effectively dismantling the smugglers’ supply chain.

Targeting the previous governments, the AAP candidate said that this is the same Punjab Police, but the earlier Akali-BJP and Congress governments lacked the will to act. Under their political patronage, drug traffickers thrived and destroyed the youth of Punjab. However, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has now given full freedom to Police Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and SSPs, with clear instructions that no smuggler should be spared.

Sandhu described the AAP Government’s three-pronged strategy, Enforcement (strict action), De-addiction (treatment), and Prevention, as a comprehensive solution. He said that the government is not only arresting drug smugglers but also showing compassion towards the victims of drug abuse. He termed it a major achievement that, during the 247th day’s operation, many young addicts were inspired to undergo de-addiction treatment. He also appreciated the efforts of the five-member Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, which is personally monitoring this campaign.

Expressing confidence, Sandhu said that the AAP Government will soon eradicate drugs from Punjab and restore the state to its former glory as ‘Rangla Punjab’ (Vibrant Punjab).