Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Mar 21: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday presented a detailed report on law and order as part of the government’s four-year outreach campaign, highlighting progress in tackling drugs and organised crime.

He said visible improvements on the ground are the result of a zero-tolerance approach toward narcotics and sustained action against criminal networks, supported by police reforms and growing investor confidence.

Under the state’s anti-drug drive ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, the government has arrested over 95,000 drug smugglers, seized illegal assets worth Rs 772 crore, and dismantled more than 1,100 gangs. Measures such as anti-drone systems have also helped curb cross-border smuggling.

The Chief Minister noted that record police recruitment, modernisation efforts, and initiatives like the Sadak Surakhya Force have strengthened law enforcement across the state.

Taking a swipe at opposition leaders, he accused previous regimes of allowing gangster networks to flourish, asserting that those responsible cannot evade accountability. “No leniency will be shown against those involved in drug-related crimes,” he said.

Since March 2022, the state has registered over 71,000 FIRs under the NDPS Act, with significant seizures including heroin, opium, poppy husk, and large quantities of pharmaceutical drugs.

On organised crime, Mann said the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has led to the arrest of nearly 2,900 criminals, the neutralisation of 35, and the dismantling of multiple gangs, along with the recovery of arms and vehicles used in criminal activities.

The Chief Minister maintained that the government remains committed to ensuring strict law enforcement and public safety, positioning Punjab on a stronger footing in terms of security and governance.