Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday presented a report card on law and order under the AAP govt, asserting that Punjab’s improving law and order is now visible on the ground, driven by a zero-tolerance policy against drugs and a sustained crackdown on organised crime, alongside police reforms and rising investor confidence.Mann claimed that the campaign ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ resulted in the arrest of over 95,000 smugglers, besides Rs 772 crore worth of illegal assets seized, and more than 1,100 gangs dismantled, while measures like the anti-drone system have checked cross-border smuggling. He said record police recruitment, modernisation, and initiatives like the Sadak Surakhya Force underline the strengthening of law enforcement in Punjab. Taking on the Akali leadership, he said those who patronised gangsters and allowed criminal networks to flourish are now attempting to rewrite history but cannot escape accountability. Mann said, “The Punjab govt has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drugs, and no leniency has been or will be shown against violators of the law. Exemplary punishment will be ensured. From March 2022 till now, 95,881 drug smugglers and suppliers have been arrested and 71,228 FIRs have been registered under the NDPS Act.” Detailing the crackdown, Mann said, “A total of 6,109 major/commercial consignments of drugs have been seized, along with the arrest of 10,085 major traffickers. Special focus has been placed on drug hotspots, leading to recovery of 5,625 kg heroin, 3,461 kg opium, 1,628 quintals poppy husk, and 4.96 crore injections, tablets, capsules, and syrups.” He said, “Over Rs 54 crore in drug money has been recovered and 3,440 proclaimed offenders in NDPS cases have been arrested. Properties worth Rs 772 crore have been seized from 1,556 smugglers.” Highlighting action against organised crime, Mann said, “After the formation of the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), 2,858 gangsters and criminals have been arrested, 35 neutralised, and 1,105 gangs busted. 2,267 weapons and 655 vehicles used in crimes have been recovered.” He added, “Since April 6, 2022, AGTF has solved 38 sensational cases, including major murder cases, extortion rackets, bank robberies, gang arrests, and terror-linked conspiracies across Punjab and nearby regions up to March 2026.” Emphasising border security, he said, “Punjab has around 560 kilometre border with Pakistan, and to check the supply of drugs and weapons, the state govt has installed an anti-drone system. Punjab is the first state to have this system.” He added, “We asked the Centre for funds, but no assistance was given. The state govt used its own resources, and the system is producing results. So far, 806 drones have been recovered, 1,472 drone movements detected, and 341 illegal weapons recovered via drones.” Taking aim at previous regimes, Mann said, “Those who patronised and promoted drug culture in Punjab are now claiming to eliminate it. Everyone knows who gave tickets to gangsters and appointed them as Halqa in-charges. These leaders are responsible for the rise of gangster culture and are still extending legal and other support to such elements.”
