CM, Kejriwal launch 2nd phase of war on drugs, say victory near

Phagwara: Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday launched the second phase of the anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh,' at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara.Addressing a gathering on the campus, the AAP supremo claimed concrete outcomes from the first phase—including large-scale action against traffickers, high conviction rates, and growing public participation—saying the second phase would consolidate these gains to decisively dismantle drug networks across Punjab. "The honesty, hard work, and determination with which it was implemented was never seen before, not just in Punjab but in any state across the country, in a fight against drugs. It is not that drugs are sold only in Punjab. There are many states, including Haryana, Gujarat, Delhi, and several others, where drugs are sold openly and in large quantities, but the govts there simply do not care," Kejriwal said. "When the Shiromani Akali Dal govt was in power, drugs were pushed into every lane and every household during their rule. It was during that time that Punjab was so deeply trapped in drugs that the film, ‘Udta Punjab' was made. Punjab saw drugs entering homes, and many of their senior personalities were directly involved in selling drugs. After that, Capt Amarinder Singh took an oath on the Gutka Sahib and said he would eliminate drugs in 30 or 60 days. His govt lasted five years and nothing was done. Those were false oaths," he said. "After that, our govt came. We took some time because proper preparation was needed, but after March 1 last year, the intensity and courage with which we began action against drugs was unprecedented," he said, while also giving out figures of arrests. "The biggest trafficker in Punjab, whose name made people tremble, whose name even the administration feared to utter, was arrested and sent to jail by our govt. No one earlier had the courage even to take his name, let alone send him to jail. The police were afraid, the administration was afraid, and even senior leaders were afraid, but the AAP govt had the courage to put him behind bars," he said. CM Mann said, "The enthusiasm of the people shows that we are very close to winning this war against drugs. This fight against drugs has become a mass movement because drugs are not just a crime; they are a social problem." Referring to Punjab's image, he said, "Despite drug recoveries in other states, Punjab alone was unfairly defamed. This is part of a conspiracy and is completely unwarranted." He said that Yudh Nasheyan Virudh was about saving future generations and that its results would soon be visible on the ground. "Drug addicts are victims. They need sympathy and treatment, and our govt is leaving no stone unturned for their rehabilitation. A comprehensive, multi-dimensional strategy is in place. This campaign will continue until Punjab is completely free from drugs," he said. Senior AAP leader and Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia also addressed the gathering. MSID:: 126397179 413 |