Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday revealed that the state’s efforts to combat drug abuse have reached a pivotal moment with local community groups now taking center stage in maintaining momentum and safeguarding towns and villages from narcotics.
Speaking at a gathering of newly formed citizen led defence groups, Mann highlighted the progress made since the launch of the War Against Drugs initiative on February 4. He said significant ground has been covered in disrupting drug networks across Punjab and credited public cooperation as a key factor in the campaign’s success.
According to the Chief Minister, the infrastructure of drug trafficking in the state has been severely dismantled. To ensure these gains are permanent, the government has introduced grassroots defence teams designed to act as sentinels in the ongoing effort.
Each committee, Mann explained, will consist of four core leaders including the local sarpanch or ward councillor, a member of the anti drug initiative, a representative from the local administration, and a police official. Depending on the size of the village or ward, an additional 10 to 20 trusted individuals such as retired service members, educators, or respected locals will also be appointed.
Once approved by the local magistrate, these teams will receive official IDs and serve as a bridge between the community and law enforcement. Their duties will include monitoring drug activity, supporting rehabilitation for recovering addicts, and organizing education and awareness drives through outreach programs like street plays and school events.
Mann emphasized that neighbourhoods achieving total freedom from drug use will be publicly acknowledged and awarded by the government. He also noted that over 10,000 village meetings have already taken place with many panchayats formally pledging to eradicate drugs from their areas.
The Chief Minister also took aim at previous administrations, accusing traditional political parties of ignoring or even enabling the drug crisis. He claimed these governments allowed trafficking to flourish, forcing the current leadership to adopt defensive measures rather than purely developmental ones.
Without naming individuals directly, Mann pointed to recent legal action against a former minister suggesting that new evidence tied to drug related misconduct will soon be presented in court. His remarks were seen as a veiled reference to Shiromani Akali Dal’s Bikram Singh Majithia who was arrested in June on charges related to disproportionate assets.
Mann concluded by expressing confidence that this community based model paired with consistent political will could finally steer Punjab away from the shadow of drug dependency.
