Category: Crime

Special operations launched to make society drug-free and crime-free

Jalandhar News: To further strengthen the campaigns “Yudh Nashian Virudh” and “Gangstran Te Waar”, a special meeting was convened under the leadership of M.F. Farooqui, IPS, ADGP SAP Jalandhar, and Harvinder Singh Virk, SSP Jalandhar Rural.

The meeting was attended by Manjit Kaur, SP PBI, along with all DSPs of the district, SHOs, Chownki Incharges, and other police officials. During the meeting, a detailed review of the ongoing actions against drug trafficking and gangster activities was conducted, and further strategies were finalized to make these campaigns more effective.

On this occasion, the ADGP informed that from 01 March 2026 to 31 March 2026, the campaigns “Yudh Nashian Virudh” and “Gangstran Te Waar” are being carried out on a large scale. The main objective of these campaigns is to detect, trace, and arrest drug peddlers and traffickers, dismantle drug supply chains, and simultaneously take strict action against gangsters and their networks. He directed all officers to conduct CASO (Cordon and Search Operations) at a minimum of 10 identified hotspots in their respective jurisdictions, especially at locations involved in the sale and handling of drugs and psychotropic substances.

During the campaign, directions were issued to carry out cordon and search operations, statewide nakabandi on drug-sensitive routes, enhanced night deployment, and extensive checking at vulnerable locations. Raids will be conducted on known smugglers, traffickers, and couriers, along with targeted action against wanted shooters and hardcore criminals. Verification drives will be carried out in hotspot areas, including checking of hotels, dharamshalas, sarais, and tenant verification.

He further directed that special checking drives be conducted in jails, with a particular focus on detecting mobile phones. Strict checking of chemist shops, CASO operations at railway stations and bus stands, checking of gun houses with special focus on ammunition stock, and intensive vehicle checking—especially of two-wheelers and other suspicious vehicles—will also be ensured. Action against repeat offenders will be intensified, including individuals involved in more than two snatching cases and those involved in more than three Arms Act cases during the last three years.

In addition, strict action will be taken against proclaimed offenders, unregistered travel agents will be checked, and production warrants of jailed criminals will be obtained wherever required. During this drive, at least 70 percent of the police force will be mobilized to ensure result-oriented operations.

It was also directed that senior police officers will personally supervise and monitor the operations in their respective areas, and the outcomes of these drives will be widely publicized through print, electronic, and social media to enhance public confidence and awareness.

In the end, Jalandhar Rural Police appealed to the general public to share any information regarding drug traffickers and criminal elements with the police so that society can be made free from drugs and crime.

From ‘Udta Punjab’ to ‘Rangla Punjab’; Punjab Fighting World’s Most Systematic War Against Drugs: Baltej Pannu

Punjab News: Marking one year of the Mann Government’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Media In-charge and Chief Spokesperson of Nasha Mukti Morcha Baltej Pannu said Punjab is fighting a systematic and multi-dimensional war against drugs unmatched anywhere in the world. Addressing the media, Baltej Pannu declared the campaign as a historic and people-driven movement that has transformed the fight against narcotics into a structured and result-oriented mission.

AAP Punjab State General Secretary and Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Drug abuse is a global menace. We are witnessing developments in countries like Mexico and Canada, and even other Indian states have reported large recoveries. But no state or country is fighting this battle as systematically as Punjab.”

Sharing official data from the past year, Baltej Pannu stated, “In one year, 36,178 FIRs have been registered and 51,648 arrests made. Drug money worth ₹16.70 crore has been recovered. Major recoveries include 2,276.98 kg heroin, 29,299 kg poppy husk, 686 kg opium, 807.96 kg ganja, 36.47 kg ice, 68 kg charas, and 4.46 kg cocaine, along with 50k tablets and capsules and 1,985 injections. Punjab has recorded the highest major recoveries in the country.”

He stated that the campaign was launched after long preparation, with the understanding that no fight directly connected with people can succeed without public participation. “Under the Nasha Mukti Morcha, Punjab was divided into five zones: Doaba, Majha, Malwa East, Malwa West and Malwa Central. We further built district and constituency-level structures. Village Defence Committees were formed across Punjab, and lakhs participated in a massive gathering at Killi Chahal near Moga,” Baltej Pannu said.

Explaining the accountability mechanism, Baltej Pannu said, “Village Defence Committee members have been given a secure app to report drug peddlers directly to police headquarters, and action is mandated within 48 hours. Over 2,000 complaints have led to FIRs and arrests after due verification.”

He added that de-addiction centres have undergone a structural transformation. “Under previous governments, these centres functioned like jail-like facilities. Today, they are clean and supportive spaces. We have introduced skill training in plumbing, electrical work, fast food and other trades. ITI instructors and private firms are assisting in rehabilitation and employment, ensuring that those who return from addiction re-enter society with dignity,” Baltej Pannu said.

Targeting the earlier regimes, Baltej Pannu said, “The 2007–2017 Akali-BJP government allowed the drug mafia to take deep roots in Punjab. Narcotics networks were systemically entrenched during that decade through political patronage and deliberate inaction.” He added, “The subsequent 2017–2022 Congress government also failed to dismantle this nexus despite tall promises. Captain Amarinder Singh took an oath holding Gutka Sahib, vowing to end drugs within weeks, but instead of delivering, he retreated into silence and inaction.”

Baltej Pannu said, “For five years, Congress neither broke the supply chains nor held the masterminds accountable, leaving Punjab trapped in what can only be described as a dark abyss. In contrast, the Mann Government has shown the willpower to act decisively and consistently against the drug mafia.”

He asserted that supply lines have been largely broken. “Many smugglers have fled Punjab and locked their houses. We have shown the media videos of these locked homes. These locked houses are proof of strict policing. This crackdown will not weaken,” Baltej Pannu said.

Concluding, Baltej Pannu said, “Punjab was pushed into a dark abyss for over 20 years. This is not our fight alone; it is for the next generation. We will build Rangla Punjab and will not allow it to remain ‘Udta Punjab’.”

Previous Govts Patronized Drug Trade & Ruined Generations; AAP Govt Took Decisive Action to Dismantle Network: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

Punjab E News: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday congratulated the people of Punjab on the successful completion of one year of ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, declaring it as a decisive and unprecedented campaign to make Punjab free from the menace of drugs. Marking the first anniversary of the mass movement launched by the Punjab Government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the campaign has fundamentally altered the fight against narcotics in Punjab by dismantling entrenched networks and ensuring strict enforcement.

In a statement, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Yudh Nashean Virudh has been the biggest-ever crackdown on the drug network in Punjab. The previous regimes in Punjab had patronized the drug trade, thereby ruining the generations of the state. On the other hand, the Punjab Government has broken the backbone of the drug trade by snapping the pipeline of drugs and putting the big fishes involved in this heinous crime behind the bars.”

Highlighting the scale and impact of the campaign, the Chief Minister stated that a comprehensive and multipronged strategy was formulated to transform this crusade against drugs into a mass movement with the proactive support of the common man. “In the past one year from March 2025 to February 2026, a zero-tolerance policy has been adopted against the drug menace,” he said.

Detailing the action taken under the campaign, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “A total of 36,178 FIRs have been registered against drug smugglers, 51,648 drug traffickers have been arrested, 2,277 kg of heroin has been seized and over 4.9 million intoxicant tablets and capsules have been confiscated.”

He further added, “₹16.70 crore of drug money has been recovered from drug peddlers and properties worth crores of rupees belonging to smugglers have been confiscated or demolished. The overall conviction rate under the NDPS Act stands at approximately 84%, improving steadily over the years and reaching around 88% in 2025. This reflects robust case preparation, forensic support and prosecution.”

Drawing a clear distinction from earlier governments, Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “Contrary to their predecessors, the Punjab Government has not sat idly and watched the smugglers bloom at the cost of the dead bodies and pyres of the drug victims. We have ensured exemplary action against drug smugglers.”

Reiterating the unwavering resolve of the Punjab Government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted, “The fight of the Punjab Government is to protect Punjab’s young generation and it will continue relentlessly and without a single pause.”

Punjab E News: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Sub-Inspector Mewa Singh posted in police station cyber cell, Sangrur, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 50000/-.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of village Kothe Maha Singh Wala district Bathinda.

He said that the a case was registered in police station cyber crime Sangrur against the complainant and his wife wherein the accused Sub-Inspector was the investigating officer. In this regard, complainant alleged that the accused Sub- Inspector demanded bribe money of Rs. 50,000/- to help him to get discharged his wife from this case.

Unwilling to pay any illegal gratification, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau range , Patiala. After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Sub- Inspector Mewa Singh was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 50,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Patiala and further investigation into this case is under progress.

Bathinda News: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Manjot Singh Patwari posted in the revenue office of Kot Shamir, district Bathinda, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000/-.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of village kot Shamir district Bathinda.

He said that the complainant met the accused Patwari regarding executing the mutation of inherit property of his relative. In this regard, complainant alleged that accused Patwari demanded bribe of Rs. 10,000/- in lieu of execution of mutation of his relative property. The entire conversation regarding the demand of bribe was recorded by the complainant.

Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, he approached the Punjab Vigilance Bureau range, Bathinda and lodged a complaint. Acting upon the complaint, the Vigilance Bureau laid a trap, during which accused Patwari was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000/- from the complainant in the presence of official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Bathinda and further investigation into this case is under progress.