Punjab's Unyielding Battle: 168 Days of Crackdown on Drug Menace

Under the persistent leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab's continuing battle against drug trafficking marked its 168th day with resolute action against the menace. On Saturday, the Punjab Police conducted extensive raids at 301 locations across the state, resulting in the apprehension of 38 drug dealers. This brings the total number of arrests to an impressive 25,909, according to official sources.

These concerted efforts led to the confiscation of 620 grams of heroin and 1,612 pills or capsules from the suspected traffickers. Directed by the Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, the operation spanned all 28 of Punjab's Police districts, demonstrating a coordinated and extensive law enforcement response.

Chief Minister Mann has tasked key officials, including Police Commissioners and Senior Superintendents, with achieving a drug-free Punjab. In support of this mission, a Cabinet Sub Committee headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema oversees these efforts. Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla revealed that over 900 police personnel, supervised by 70 officers, were involved in the raids. Complementing enforcement with rehabilitation, the police have aided 33 individuals in seeking de-addiction treatment. This initiative synergizes with earlier successes, like the recent capture of two notorious operatives from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, underscoring Punjab's unrelenting crackdown on organized crime.

(With inputs from agencies.)