CHANDIGARH, August 24:
Amidst the ongoing anti-drugs campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the information received from the people on Punjab’s ‘Safe Punjab’ WhatsApp Chatbot portal— 9779100200— has led to the registration of 5,562 first information reports (FIRs) since March 1, 2025.
Notably, the ‘Safe Punjab’ anti-drug helpline 97791-00200 is a flagship initiative of the Punjab Government aimed at providing anonymous, accessible, and non-judgmental support to individuals grappling with drug-related issues.
“Safe Punjab Chatbot has emerged as a game-changer as it has received an overwhelming response from the public for its confidentiality feature encouraging individuals to report smugglers, addicts, and providing suggestions,” said the Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla, while further encouraging people to anonymously share information regarding drug traffickers on this chatbot without any fear.
The Special DGP said that apart from the ongoing crackdown against the drug smugglers and peddlers, the Punjab Police under the leadership of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav has also embarked on a special anti-drug awareness campaign to foster a sense of unity and collaboration among the general public in the fight against this critical issue.
Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that under this special campaign against drugs, Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police (CPs/SSPs) have been directed to organise different awareness events including SAMPARK programmes, Meeting with Students, etc. in their respective districts to engage the general public, youth, non-government organisations (NGOs), clubs, etc in the fight against drugs. Since March 1, 2025, Punjab Police has organised 1153 SAMPARK meetings, while, 4293 meetings have been organised with the students, he said.
Sharing outcome of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, Special DGP Arpit Shukla said that Punjab Police has registered 17,373 FIRs and arrested 26,995 drug smugglers since March 1, 2025, and recovered 1096 kg heroin, 380 kg opium, 23 ton poppy husk, 29 kg charas, 421 kg ganja, 6 kg ICE, 3.3 kg cocaine, 32.91 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets and Rs 12.43 crores drug money from their possession.
Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its cordon and search operation (CASO) against drugs on Day 176, and conducted raids at 320 locations on Sunday leading to the arrest of 68 drug smugglers after registration of 48 first information reports (FIRs) across the state.
The Special DGP said that the raids have resulted in recovery of 1 kg heroin, 5633 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 23,910 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.
He informed that over 120 Police teams, comprising over 1000 police personnel, under the supervision of 70 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 345 suspicious persons during the day long operation.
The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 47 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.
