Chandigarh, May 3:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday said that like the national freedom struggle state will lead the country in making it free from scourge of drugs.
Addressing the gathering while participating in the pad Yatra against drugs, the Chief Minister said that Punjab had played a key role in emancipating the country from the clutches of foreign imperialism. He said that nationalists like Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and others had steered the country to path of freedom. Bhagwant Singh Mann taking inspiration from them Punjab is today prepared towards making the country free from scourge of drugs.
The Chief Minister said that this land has produced generals, patriots and ace players who had inspired the youth to excel in the field of service of the country. He said that students participating in this spirited ‘Padyatra Against Drugs’ should take a firm pledge to eradicate the drug menace from society. Emphasising crucial role if youth in building a drug-free Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann motivated children to become flag bearers in fight against drugs, stressing that this social evil must be nipped in the bud to ensure a brighter future.
The Chief Minister urged students to immediately report any drug-related approach to parents or teachers and desist from glorification of drugs in pop culture.
He also advised youngsters to draw inspiration from legends like Milkha Singh, Olympians Harmanpreet & Manpreet Singh (hockey) and cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur instead of singers promoting drugs through songs. He specifically pointed out that the Punjab Government has intensified its anti-drug campaign with strict enforcement, community engagement and youth awareness programs to dismantle the drug Supply chain and rehabilitate victims.
The Chief Minister said that state government has launched ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ against the menace of drugs adding that unbounded energy of youth is being channelized in positive direction. He said that it is imperative to save the generations of the state from scourge of drugs as Punjab has already suffered a huge loss of manpower due to this menace. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has launched this campaign with active support of the common man so that the scourge of drugs can be wiped out from state.
The Chief Minister said that the state government will not sit idly and watch the smugglers bloom at the cost of the dead bodies and pyres of the drug victims. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already snapped the supply line of drugs and big fishes involved in this heinous crime have been put behind the bars. He said that for the first time the property of the drug smugglers acquired illegally are being destroyed/ confiscated by the state government so that it acts as a deterrent for others.
