Punjab Launches Aggressive Second Phase of Anti-Drug Crusade; Kejriwal Vows to Dismantle Trafficking Networks

Marking a decisive escalation in the state’s battle against the narcotics epidemic, Punjab has officially launched the second phase of its "War on Drugs" campaign. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the new chapter of the initiative, reaffirming the administration’s unwavering commitment to transforming Punjab into a drug-free state. This move follows the conclusion of a highly publicized first phase, which the party claims has significantly disrupted the logistical backbone of the illicit trade. Speaking at the launch, Kejriwal took a sharp aim at previous administrations, alleging a historical nexus between high-ranking political figures and the drug mafia. He contended that under the Akali Dal regime, ministers and influential leaders not only facilitated smuggling operations but actively provided political cover to kingpins, a trend he claimed persisted during the subsequent Congress tenure, leaving the state’s youth vulnerable for decades.

The administrative onslaught against traffickers has yielded substantial numbers over the past year, reflecting a zero-tolerance approach to enforcement. According to official data shared by the party leadership, law enforcement agencies have registered approximately 28,000 cases related to drug trafficking in the last twelve months alone. This crackdown has resulted in the arrest of over 42,000 individuals linked to the trade. Perhaps most notably, the government has shifted its focus toward high-level syndicates, identifying more than 350 "big-fish" traffickers. In a move designed to inflict financial paralysis on these networks, the state has utilized heavy machinery to demolish properties and assets acquired through narco-proceeds. This "bulldozer" strategy, Kejriwal noted, is intended to serve as a stark deterrent, signaling that the state will no longer just target the street-level peddlers but will systematically dismantle the wealth and infrastructure of the masterminds behind the crisis.

The success of this second phase is viewed as a litmus test for the current government's ability to restore social stability and public health in a region long haunted by substance abuse. By combining rigorous policing with the symbolic and economic destruction of criminal enterprises, the administration seeks to break a cycle of addiction that has hampered Punjab’s economic and social progress. As the campaign transitions into this more intensive stage, the focus remains on whether these systemic interventions can permanently sever the ties between crime and local governance, ultimately reclaiming the state's future from the grip of the drug syndicate.