DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has started the war against drugs and is emphasizing on making this campaign a people's movement by encouraging the youth of Punjab to live a drug-free life and participate in this mission aimed at public welfare. The previous governments, in order to fulfill their own interests, turned a blind eye to nefarious activities of drug smugglers and provided political protection to them, which the people of the state know very well. It was stated by Cabinet Minister Mr. Hardeep Singh Mundian while attending the event organized at Majestic Resort Moga.

Mr. Mundian said that a unique initiative has been undertaken in the form of village guards to eradicate drugs from the state, who will be an army of warriors in the true sense. This will prove to be a decisive battle against the scourge of drugs in Punjab. To spread awareness against drugs, the 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' will be taken to every village ward and made a people's movement, so that the State is turned into Rangla Punjab again.

The Minister said that the youth of Punjab were misled by the unholy alliance between the previous governments and smugglers and our government is cleaning the filth of the previous governments. He said that now there is no political pressure on the police, but action is being taken against drug peddlers and they are being put in jails. He said that the Chief Minister has given a clear message to the drug traffickers that either they should stop selling drugs or leave Punjab. He said that the defense committees formed at the village and ward levels need to play a leading role in eradicating drugs.

Mr. Mundian said that the State Government is firmly guarding the interests of Punjab and Punjabis, whether it is about drugs or water. The government is ready to fight any kind of battle in this matter and has also called a special session on water issues of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on 5th May.

During the function, Mr. Mundian administered the pledge to village Panch, Sarpanch, Defense Committees and other dignitaries to root out the scourge of drugs. A large number of people who had arrived in the pandal raised their voices against drugs by holding the flags of the drug eradication march in their hands and standing shoulder to shoulder with the Punjab government. Earlier, a street play was presented by the IPTA team to create awareness about the ill effects of drugs.

(editor@dailyworld.in)