CM Mann’s Crackdown On Drug Traffickers Decisive, Says Punjab Governor Praising ‘Yudh Nashe Viruddh’ Drive

The Punjab anti-drug campaign, launched in 2025, spans arrests, seizures, asset freezes, border security, and rehabilitation. It integrates technology and community involvement to disrupt drug networks and protect youths while addressing related crime.

Punjab, once known as India’s grain bowl, is now drawing attention for a very different struggle. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state is running an aggressive Punjab anti-drug campaign, launched on 1 March 2025, that targets traffickers, finances and support systems behind narcotics networks.

By February 2026, the drive called “Yudh Nashe Virudh” has shifted from a routine scheme to a mass effort. Official records show the policy of “zero tolerance” has tightened control over illegal supply chains, while also pushing rehabilitation and awareness to protect young people across cities and villages.

Punjab anti-drug campaign shows major police action in numbers

Data from Punjab Police highlight the scale of direct enforcement under the Punjab anti-drug campaign. Arrests, seizures and property freezes indicate pressure on syndicates at multiple levels. Officials describe this as a constant squeeze on local peddlers, middlemen and cross-border handlers involved in the drug economy.

Punjab anti-drug campaign attacks finances and cross-border routes

Officials argue that hitting money flows is central to the Punjab anti-drug campaign. Enforcement agencies have frozen assets worth ₹263 crore that, according to records, were created through drug trade profits. This has turned narcotics operations into a high-risk, low-return business for 548 identified traffickers.

Border security measures are also being reshaped through the Punjab anti-drug campaign. The government has focused on stopping Pakistan-origin consignments, often sent using drones. High-tech tools aim to detect these unmanned flights early and track both landing spots and local receivers within Punjab’s border districts.

Punjab anti-drug campaign uses technology against drones and cyber crime

Under the Punjab anti-drug campaign, anti-drone systems are deployed in Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Amritsar. These installations are designed to pick up suspicious movement near the international border. Alongside, 2,367 CCTV cameras are being installed to extend digital monitoring and restrict gaps that traffickers could exploit.

The Punjab anti-drug campaign also links narcotics control with wider crime tracking. Authorities report that cyber teams have frozen ₹80 crore connected with cyber fraud. Officials see this as part of a single security push, where drug trade, organised crime and digital scams are treated as overlapping threats.

Punjab anti-drug campaign targets terror and gangster networks

Security agencies state that the Punjab anti-drug campaign is tied to internal security. The Anti-Gangster Task Force and the Internal Security Wing have focused on the link between narcotics, terror funding and gang operations. This link was earlier seen as a serious risk for Punjab’s stability.

In 2025, investigators solved 12 terror incidents and arrested 50 module members. Nineteen modules were dismantled, leading to recovery of RDX, grenades and RPG-type weapons. The Anti-Gangster Task Force broke 416 gangster modules and arrested 992 gangsters, which officials say has strengthened rule of law under the Punjab anti-drug campaign.

Punjab anti-drug campaign builds social participation and rehabilitation

State leadership maintains that policing alone cannot secure lasting results, so the Punjab anti-drug campaign includes community participation. Around 1.5 lakh “Pind De Pehredar” volunteers in villages watch local activity and share information, creating social pressure against drug use and small-scale peddling.

Rehabilitation and awareness are also central to the Punjab anti-drug campaign. Thousands of youths have been moved to de-addiction centres for treatment. Schools and colleges are running large anti-drug drives, where students are urged to stay away from narcotics. These efforts look to shield upcoming generations from long-term dependence.

Political signals around the Punjab anti-drug campaign are also notable. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has publicly praised the aggressive stance of the Bhagwant Singh Mann government, despite political differences. Officials say this cross-party acknowledgment, along with the campaign’s arrest and seizure data, has renewed confidence among many families across the state.