AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal announced on Tuesday that Punjab will launch a large-scale movement against drug abuse starting April 1. As part of this initiative, a drug census will be conducted across the state to identify individuals struggling with addiction and provide them with appropriate rehabilitation and treatment.
Addressing a public gathering, Kejriwal commended the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government for its ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking, stating that anti-national forces were unsettled by the aggressive measures being taken.
“We have declared an all-out war against drugs. In the past 20 days alone, we have demolished homes belonging to major drug traffickers using bulldozers and seized narcotics worth crores. This is the first time any government has taken such bold action against these criminals,” Kejriwal said.
He also took a swipe at other states, claiming that while drugs are being sold in places like Haryana, Gujarat, and Delhi, no government there has shown the courage to confront drug traffickers. “It is only the AAP government in Punjab that has launched this decisive battle against drug smuggling,” he asserted.
Highlighting the cross-border aspect of drug trafficking, Kejriwal said that nearly 70% of the drugs entering Punjab originate from Pakistan, often via drones. However, he noted that since the anti-drug campaign began, Pakistani smugglers have struggled to find people willing to collect these shipments.
To further combat this menace, the Punjab government is in the process of acquiring an advanced anti-drone system to prevent cross-border smuggling. Additionally, a special task force of approximately 5,000 personnel will be established to work alongside the Border Security Force (BSF) in securing the international border.
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Kejriwal called on every Punjabi to turn this campaign into a mass movement, emphasising that the fight against drugs requires community participation.
“Our AAP workers will go door-to-door in villages and localities to raise awareness. Our MLAs and ministers will also actively participate. Mann Saab and I will personally visit different areas to mobilise public support,” he stated. “Once the three crore people of Punjab stand together, there will be no place left for these smugglers to hide.”
He also praised the Punjab Police for their relentless efforts in the anti-drug drive and urged citizens to report drug-related activities through the government’s helpline at 9779100200.
To prevent the youth from falling prey to drugs, Kejriwal announced that every village in Punjab will soon have sporting facilities to promote healthy activities. He further elaborated on the drug census, explaining that teams will conduct door-to-door surveys to identify individuals battling addiction and ensure they receive necessary medical care.
“Those struggling with drug addiction need support and rehabilitation. The drug census will help us identify affected individuals, and their identities will be kept confidential,” he assured.
Kejriwal did not hold back in criticising previous governments, alleging that some former leaders had a role in spreading drug addiction for financial gain. “Drugs were not born in Punjab by themselves. We all know which party’s ministers were responsible for distributing drugs to households, destroying an entire generation,” he alleged.
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He also targeted opposition leaders for their broken promises, referring to a former chief minister who had vowed on the sacred ‘Gutka Sahib’ to eliminate drugs within four weeks but failed to take any action over his five-year tenure.
“Instead of fulfilling his promise, he remained inactive while the drug trade thrived,” Kejriwal said.
Earlier in the day, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal jointly inaugurated the newly renovated Civil Hospital, dedicating it to the people of Punjab.
Speaking about the improvements, Kejriwal remarked, “The Civil Hospital has been completely transformed into a modern medical facility. Those who saw it before will remember the dire state in which previous Congress, BJP, and Akali Dal governments had left it. For 30 years, they mismanaged it to the point that it became home to 30,000 rats. Today, thanks to the AAP government’s efforts, this hospital stands as a testament to progress and good governance.”
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