Chandigarh/ Patiala, March 17:

In a resolute bid to combat the scourge of drug abuse, Punjab Cabinet Minister and the State President of Aam Aadmi Party Mr. Aman Arora, on Monday, appealed to the grassroots pillars of governance – Councillors, Sarpanchs, and Nambardars – to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against drug peddlers, regardless of their social connections or affiliations. Emphasising the critical role these local leaders play in shaping their communities, he asked the Sarpanchs, Councillors and Nambardars to refrain from extending any help to drug peddlers pushing our youth to drug swamp.  

He was addressing the media after chairing a meeting with Patiala district’s civil and police administration in the presence of local leadership to review the current status of “Yudh Nashian Virudh” drive. He was on the whirlwind tour of three districts today including Patiala, Kapurthala and Amritsar.

Declaring that “Yudh Nashian Virudh” has become a people’s drive, Mr. Aman Arora said that a number of drug peddlers have been put behind the bars and huge quantities of narcotics have been recovered in the past 16 days with the active participation of people of the state.

The Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has adopted two-pronged strategy to give final blow to this menace, Mr. Aman Arora said, while stating that strict action has been taken not only to cut the supply line but a special focus has been laid on rehabilitating the drug victims. He said that special skill development training is being imparted to bring them back into the mainstream of society, besides, becoming an earning hand for their families.

Reaffirming the commitment of the Punjab government to completely eradicating drugs from the state, Mr. Aman Arora said that no one is being spared irrespective of his rank or political affiliation.

Taking SAD-BJP and Congress to task, the AAP’s state president said that the polito-narcos nexus that came to fore during past regimes in the state has caused an unforgettable loss to Punjab especially its youth. “The relentless efforts are being made by the Aam Aadmi Party led state government during the last three years to root-up this nexus, and this last stroke will ensure that the dark era will come to an end,” he emphasized. 

Deputy Commissioner Patiala Dr. Preeti Yadav apprised the cabinet minister that OOAT clinics saw a 25 percent increase in foot-fall after the launch of “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign. She informed that the district authorities have been regularly conducting inspections at Drug De-addiction Centres and OOAT Clinics.     

SSP Dr. Nanak Singh apprised that police have registered 60 FIRs, arrested 85 individuals, recovered drugs in huge quantities and carried out 28 CASO operations in the district under “Yudh Nashian Virudh” drive.

MLAs Ajitpal Singh Kohli (Patiala), Chetan Singh Jauramajra (Samana), Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra (Sanaur), Gurlal Ghanaur (Ghanaur), Nina Mittal (Rajpura), Gurdev Singh Dev Mann (Nabha) and Kulwant Singh (Shutrana), Chairman of PRTC Ranjodh Singh Hadana, Mayor Kundan Gogia, Chairman Improvement Trust Megh Chand Shermajra, Chairman District Planning Committee Jassi Sohia Wala and other senior officials of were also present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, March 17:

          In a significant administrative move aimed at improving policing efficiency and ensuring accountability as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has fixed the tenure limitation for MHCs, commonly known as Munshi, at any single police station or unit to a maximum of two years.

          The order, issued by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, on Monday, reads, “In order to ensure accountability, improve policing efficiency and enhance professional development across the force, it is hereby ordered that the tenure of MHCs assigned to a specific police station or unit shall not exceed a period of two years at one location.”

          The order also mandated that upon completion of the two-year tenure, the officer shall be transferred to a different station or unit. This order is to be implemented immediately and strictly adhered to, with any non-compliance subject to disciplinary action, the order further reads.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav emphasised that the move is purely administrative and is designed to ensure a dynamic and responsive policing system.

Chandigarh/ Kapurthala, March 17:

Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party State President Mr. Aman Arora issued a stern warning to drug traffickers, stating, “Either quit the drug trade or leave Punjab.”

He emphasized that under the leadership of Aam Aadmi Party Supremo Mr. Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy to eradicate the drug trade through the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign.

Addressing the media after reviewing the progress of the anti drug campaign at the District Administrative Complex here today, Mr. Arora said that the Punjab Government’s policy to eliminate drugs has shown positive results.

He highlighted that while serious efforts are being made to curb narco-terrorism in Punjab, a three tier strategy of enforcement, prevention and rehabilitation is being implemented to eliminate both the supply and demand for drugs.

He said that under the anti-drug campaign, from March 1 to till now , 1651 cases have been registered and 2,575 drug traffickers have been arrested. Besides that 1,322 kilograms of drugs has been seized and 64.26 lakh rupees as drug money recovered.

He made it clear that the “the illegal houses built by drug traffickers with drug money under the political patronage of previous governments will be demolished”.

He added that, being a border state, maintaining peace and harmony in Punjab is a top priority and exemplary action will be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt communal harmony.

Speaking about efforts to rehabilitate drug victims, Mr. Arora said that training in various trades is being provided by the Employment Bureau to make youth who have quit drugs self-employed.

Additionally, inmates in jails are also being skilled so they can contribute to society’s progress after completing their sentences.

He further mentioned that the scope of ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan,’ a sports initiative to promote the sports culture at the grassroots level, is being expanded, with over 5.50 lakh children and youth set to participate this year.

He stated that efforts are underway to involve panchayats and social service organizations in the anti-drug campaign. He appealed to the public to support the Punjab Government’s anti-drug initiative so that collectively, Punjab can be freed from this menace.

Responding to a question about increasing police personnel in police stations, Cabinet Minister  said that new 10,000 police persons  will soon be deployed in the field. Additionally, 2,100 police personnel and officers are being recruited annually.

On this occasion, the Cabinet Minister also launched a helpline number, 98882-19247, prepared by the district administration, through which people can directly contact for skill development training.

Earlier, the Cabinet Minister reviewed the progress of the War Against Drugs campaign with administrative officials. He directed them to intensify the campaign to raise awareness about the ill effects of drugs in educational institutions.

Besides that Punjab Police contingent presented a Guard of Honour to cabinet minister.

Prominent amongst present in the meeting included  MLA Raja Gill, Sajjan Singh Cheema, Joginder Singh Mann, Harsimran Singh Ghuman, Lalit Saklani, Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, SSP Mr. Gaurav Toora and other senior officials.

Chandigarh/Patiala, March 17:

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the drug smuggling case against Bikram Singh Majithia has expanded its investigation to scrutinize financial transactions abroad, SIT member and senior IPS officer Varun Sharma said at a press conference at Police Lines here today.

Sharma stated that as per the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, Majithia has already been questioned and will be interrogated again on March 18. He further revealed that the SIT has uncovered suspicious financial transactions linked to firms associated with Majithia and his family, who are nominated in the case. Large sums of cash were reportedly deposited into these firms at the time of the alleged offenses, with transactions also traced to foreign companies.

The SIT is also pursuing three accused currently residing abroad and is making every possible effort to bring them back, including issuing Blue Corner Notices. Sharma emphasized that all financial transactions—domestic and international—are being thoroughly examined.

Reaffirming the Punjab government’s zero-tolerance policy against drugs under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav, Sharma assured that all NDPS Act cases are being investigated with full seriousness. “In this case as well, the SIT is conducting an in-depth probe, and further action will be taken based on the findings,” he said.

Majithia has been summoned again for questioning on March 18, and the SIT is determined to bring all accused to justice, Sharma added.

Ludhiana, March 17

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said that the era of harassment of the industry is over and the state government is now acting as a facilitator to the industrial sector.

Interacting with the Business tycoons here during Sanatkaar Milni, the Chief Minister, accompanied by National Convener of AAP Arvind Kejriwal, said that unlike past no one is harassing the industrialists rather the state government is making every effort to promote and encourage the industry. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already set the wheels in motion to facilitate the industry. He said that due to untiring efforts of the state government Punjab has today emerged as a frontrunner state in industrial development.   

The Chief Minister said that the credit of bringing key issues of health, education and jobs goes to Arvind Kejriwal, who has forced the traditional parties to change their agenda. He said that the AAP is working on mission mode whereas the previous regimes used to work on commission, which was totally unwarranted and undesirable. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in a democracy the masses are the supreme and that is why the state government gives huge importance to the voice of the people.

The Chief Minister said that such interactions never took place during the previous regimes and those leaders only used to have one way communication with the people. However, he said that now the common man is interacting with the Chief Minister and the Ministers to frame the policies for the progress and prosperity of the state. Bhagwwant Singh Mann said that this is unprecedented because people have now got the power to make decisions in the state. 

The Chief Minister recalled his long association with Ludhiana which dates back to early 1990s when he was struggling as an artist. He said that this city is the economic capital of the state which gives food to millions of people who work here daily. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated the firm commitment of the state government to give impetus to the development of the city, which he described as his ‘karam bhoomi’.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed for welfare of every section of the society be it industry, agriculture or others. He said that the value addition of the agriculture produce is the need of the hour and the future of the state lies in it. Bhagwant Singh Mann advocated close tie up with industry and agriculture to further put the state on the high growth trajectory.

Taking Union Minister for state of Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu to cudgels, the Chief Minister said that though he hails from Ludhiana but then also he is not able to fulfill demand of industry of Ludhiana. He said that industrialists want the intervention of the state government for getting their works in Railways as they don’t have faith in him. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this reflects the faith and trust the people have in the AAP government in the state.

The Chief Minister said that those who were living in palatial houses during their heydays of power have been ousted from the political scene of the state. He said that the state has witnessed the dawn of a new era as these people who were considered invincible have been shown the door by the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann quipped that these people living in big palaces had never bothered about the well being of the common man and had confined them in high walls of their residences.

The Chief Minister said that the traditional parties are envious of him because he hails from a common family and is working tirelessly to ensure welfare of people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders had always believed that they have divine right to rule the state due to which they are not able to digest that a common man is running the state efficiently. He said that these leaders have befooled the people for a long time but now people are not getting swayed by their misleading propaganda.

The Chief Minister further said that instead of day dreaming to get support of MLAs of ruling AAP the Congress should focus on keeping its flock together. He slammed Congress leaders for making castles in air that few MLAs of the ruling party are in their contact and will switch soon adding that these power mad politicians neither have contact with their own cadres nor with masses due to which they were ousted by the people of the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these leaders unabatedly issue such irrational statements adding that the rhetoric that AAP MLAs are in touch with them is a gimmick to hog media limelight.