Chandigarh: The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will launch four ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatras’ from September 18, covering all 117 Assembly constituencies as part of a statewide campaign against drug abuse.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon announced the programme at a press conference in Chandigarh attended by senior party leaders, including former state president Sunil Jakhar. Around 118 people affected by drug abuse, including families who have lost loved ones, were also invited to the event.
The first yatra will begin from Ekta Sthal in Madhopur, Pathankot, on September 18, with BJP national president Nitin Nabin flagging it off. The other three yatras will start from Fatehgarh Sahib on September 19, Fazilka on September 20 and Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda on September 21.
The BJP plans to cover the entire state through the four routes before concluding the campaign with a rally in Jalandhar on September 30. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to attend the concluding event. Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Shivraj Singh Chouhan are also scheduled to participate in the campaign at different locations.
Dhillon said the initiative was aimed at building public awareness about drug abuse and mobilising people against the problem. He also said the BJP had met Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, who assured the party that adequate security arrangements would be made during the yatras.
The BJP has maintained that the campaign is focused on tackling drug abuse in Punjab.
