Daijiworld Media Network – Chandigarh
Chandigarh, May 16: In a major push to intensify its battle against drug menace, the Punjab government is all set to launch a statewide public awareness campaign today with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal leading the charge from Nawanshahr.
The initiative, titled ‘Nasha Mukti Yatra’, marks the beginning of a mass outreach programme under the AAP-led government’s flagship ‘War on Drugs’ campaign. The campaign is part of the party’s broader Maha Jan Sampark Abhiyan, aimed at mobilising communities, creating awareness, and strengthening grassroots vigilance against the narcotics trade that has long plagued the state.
Addressing the media ahead of the yatra, CM Mann said, “This is not just a rally — it’s a movement. Every street, every village, and every heart must resonate with the spirit of a drug-free Punjab.”
As part of the campaign blueprint, gram sabhas will be conducted in 351 villages each day, covering three villages or urban wards in all 117 Vidhan Sabha constituencies. The target: to reach 15,000 villages and city wards across Punjab.
The government's dual-pronged strategy includes awareness drives as well as hardline enforcement. Police have ramped up action against drug traffickers, resulting in the demolition of properties and a series of encounters in which 75 accused drug smugglers have been injured.
Kejriwal, who is expected to address the public during the yatra’s launch, has reiterated his party’s zero-tolerance policy against drugs. “The future of Punjab lies in its youth. We will not rest until the poison of drugs is eradicated from this land,” he said in a statement.
Officials believe the large-scale outreach will empower citizens to come forward, report drug-related activity, and play a pivotal role in breaking the supply chain from within communities.
The yatra will see enthusiastic participation from students, civil society groups, and local leaders, as the government urges every citizen to become a watchdog in the fight against the drug crisis.