Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday declared that the state’s ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign has entered its final stage, asserting that newly constituted Defence Committees across villages and urban areas will play a crucial role in eliminating drug trafficking.
While addressing the members of these Defence Committees, the Chief Minister said the Punjab government launched the anti-drug drive on February 4 this year and has since made significant headway in dismantling drug networks.
“The backbone of the drug supply chain has been entirely broken,” he stated, crediting the people of Punjab for their overwhelming support in this mission.
“Pujya Satguru Lal Das Maharaj gave priority to spirituality in his life and inspired people to follow the path of service, truth and devotion. He has brought devotion to the masses,” he said.
To maintain the progress and ensure villages and cities remain drug-free, Mann explained that the government has constituted Defence Committees comprising local leaders, campaign representatives, and administrative officers.
“I am fully confident that these defence committees will act as generals in this war against drugs and safeguard our villages and cities. We have dreamt of making Punjab vibrant again, and with your cooperation, no power in the world can stop us from realizing this dream,” he said.
Detailing the structure of these committees, the Chief Minister said they would be led by local representatives such as sarpanches or ward councillors, along with anti-drug campaign volunteers, BDPOs or their representatives, and SHOs or their delegates. Each committee will have 10 to 20 members depending on the population. “Only individuals with clean records and reputations—such as retired army personnel, teachers, and village headmen—will be included,” Mann stated.
He further clarified that these committees will be formally notified by local SDMs, and members will be provided with government-issued ID cards to enable swift coordination with the administration. “Villages and wards will have 24/7 surveillance to ensure no trafficker dares to operate,” the Chief Minister affirmed.
Mann also envisioned a wider role for the committees beyond monitoring. “Any village or ward that achieves 100% drug-free status will receive formal recognition and certificates of appreciation from the government,” he announced. He added that the committees will participate in rehabilitation of recovering addicts and promote awareness through street plays and door-to-door campaigns, with schools also conducting programs for children.
He shared that over 10,000 village-level meetings have already taken place, and many Panchayats have passed resolutions to declare their villages drug-free. He criticised past governments for inaction. “If the previous governments had restrained drug traffickers, we wouldn’t need to conduct such programs today. Governments usually form development committees—not defence committees,” he said.
Highlighting political inaction and alleged complicity, Mann said, “While the incumbent state government is fighting them, traditional parties were hand in glove with them and were offering them protection.” Taking a direct swipe at political opponents, he said, “It’s shocking that Congress leaders Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, BJP leader Captain Amarinder Singh, and Ravneet Singh Bittu are openly speaking in his favour.” He added, “This exposes the collusion between traditional political parties... when in power, they’ve covered up each other’s wrongdoings.”
He once again urged political parties to clarify their stance. “Make it clear to the people of Punjab whether they are with the drug traffickers or against them,” he challenged. Mann also revealed that crucial evidence has been collected against the jailed former Akali minister and will be submitted in court.
During the event, the Chief Minister also announced that post-monsoon, the government will begin repair work on 20,000 km of link roads across Punjab. Describing these as “Punjab’s economic lifelines,” he highlighted his administration’s progress in the last three and a half years. He said, “As for the first time, canal water is reaching the tail ends of fields, resolving irrigation issues,” and added that over 55,000 government jobs have been awarded purely on merit. He also noted that the closure of multiple toll plazas is saving citizens ₹64 lakh daily.
Identification cards were officially distributed to Defence Committee members during the program.
The event was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, and other senior officials.
