Patiala Police launches “Mission Sahyog” to strengthen fight against drugs

CHANDIGARH: In a significant step towards eradicating the menace of drugs from the region amidst the ongoing anti-drug awareness campaign as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Patiala Police on Sunday launched an innovative initiative “Mission Sahyog” aimed at enhancing coordination between Police and Public in the fight against drugs.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Patiala Range Harcharan Singh Bhullar accompanied by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Patiala Varun Sharma held a meeting with committee members— also referred as Police Sahyogi— comprising Sarpanches of various villages and other dedicated community enthusiasts in the presence of key stakeholders including sub-divisional Police Officers and Station House Officers (SHOs).

Notably, the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to root out drugs from the state.

Divulging details, DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar said that Mission Sahyog provides a dynamic platform for the Police-Public Coordination Committee to engage in activities that foster cooperation and collective action against drug-related issues.

“The initiative underscores the importance of community involvement in addressing this critical challenge and seeks to harness the collective strength of the police force and the public to create a drug-free environment,” he added.

The DIG said that Mission Sahyog is not just a program, it is a movement that aims to bring together the police and the public in a united front against drugs. “We believe that with strong community involvement, we can make significant strides in our mission,” he said.

SSP Varun Sharma said that during the conference a comprehensive 360-degree feedback session was conducted, allowing stakeholders to share their insights and suggestions. The mission and vision of Mission Sahyog has been articulated, emphasising a collaborative approach where every member of the community plays a vital role in the initiative’s success, he added.

The SSP said that a feedback system is already in place in Patiala and anyone can feel free to provide information to the Patiala Police. “Anyone providing any kind of information or tip will be kept confidential,” he said, while adding that the Patiala Police will also reward the person if his information leads to any drug recovery.

Meanwhile, all the officers present in the meeting has highlighted the strategic importance of community participation in combating drug abuse and reaffirmed the commitment of the Police to support and work alongside community members. The conference concluded with a renewed pledge from all participants to work relentlessly towards making Patiala a safer and drug-free district.