Khanna: In a powerful display of grassroots resistance, the residents of Kauri village have collectively pledged to deny bail support to anyone caught in drug trafficking, marking a significant win for the newly revived Punjab Police “Rural Visit Programme”.The initiative, led by senior superintendent of police (SSP) Darpan Ahluwalia seeks to dismantle the wall between the police and rural communities through direct, informal dialogue in village chaupals. During the interaction in Kauri, villagers sent a “strong grassroots message” by assuring the SSP that the community would not stand behind those involved in the narcotics trade.No resident will come forward to secure bail for anyone arrested for drug trafficking, to create a social deterrent that complements the police’s “War Against Drugs” and “Operation Prahar”. Local youth representatives pledged to swap substance abuse for sports and healthy activities to protect the next generation.The Rural Visit Programme is not a new concept but a formal revival of traditional Punjab Police Rules that had been discontinued for years. Dr. Ahluwalia has now mandated that all gazetted officers must conduct similar visits within their jurisdictions. “Drugs and crime cannot be eliminated through police action alone,” the SSP told the gathering. “Active cooperation from panchayats, women, and elders is essential. We will prepare village-wise action plans to systematically address de-addiction.”To encourage the flow of actionable intelligence, the SSP assured residents that villagers can approach her directly with grievances, the names of informants reporting criminal elements in rural areas will remain strictly confidential, and that systematic raids and crackdowns will be guided by the specific information provided by these rural committees.The Kauri visit is the first of many planned across the Khanna Police District, aiming to turn every village into a “self-policing” unit against social evils.
