CHANDIGARH, 27th January 2026:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that the second phase of ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ is set to strike at the very backbone of the drug menace, as the state prepares to escalate its most aggressive mass campaign yet against narcotics by mobilising people at the village level and deepening public participation across Punjab.
Reviewing the progress of Phase II of Yudh Nashean Virudh, the Chief Minister announced that a major state-level meeting of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) will be convened in the coming month to give renewed momentum and sharper direction to the campaign, signalling the government’s intent to convert the anti-drugs drive into an irreversible people-led movement.
Chairing a meeting to review the implementation of the second phase of ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ on Tuesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Drugs is a global phenomena but nowhere across the world the war against this menace has been launched in such a vigorous manner. In an unprecedented manner a 1.50 lakh member strong team of ‘Pinda De Pehredaar’ (warriors) in the form of Village Defence Committee (VDC) has been constituted to make Punjab drug free.” He said that an important meeting of these VDCs will be convened in the coming month to give further push to this campaign.
The Punjab Chief Minister stated, “In this meeting the VDC Members will take pledge to ensure their villages become Drug Free,” adding that the Punjab government will ensure fulsome support and cooperation to them for this noble cause.
He also asked the officers to award Identification Cards to members of VDC so that their significant work is recognized. Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Public participation is must for every campaign,” adding that it is also imperative for sustainability.
The Chief Minister said, “The ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ has been transformed into a mass movement as this menace was a social problem.” He said that with the active support of the people Phase II of ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ will be more successful than the Phase I and Punjab is all set to script a new success story as a part of this campaign. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab has set an example by successful completion of this mass movement.
On the occasion, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh and others were also present.
