Punjab Chief Minister announces 10,000 new police jobs to fight drugs

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the recruitment of 10,000 new personnel into the Punjab Police to eliminate drugs during an event called 'SHO Milni' at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Academy in Phillaur on Saturday.

Action Plan

Mann stated that police officers have full freedom to take lawful action against drugs and instructed them to visit villages and towns to work with local residents against the problem. He also mentioned that the state government is talking with the Union government to make the NDPS Act stricter to handle drug smuggling better.

Border Security

Highlighting the state's geography, Mann noted that Punjab shares a 553-kilometre international border with Pakistan across the Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Ferozepur, and Fazilka districts. He said the neighbouring country is trying to smuggle drugs using drones to harm the state, and urged forces to stay alert. To counter this, the government is supplying modern equipment like anti-drone systems, CCTVs, new vehicles, and artificial intelligence-backed surveillance tools.

Enforcement Figures

Giving details on past actions, Mann shared that authorities have filed 95,644 First Information Reports under the NDPS Act, arrested 127,821 people, and seized over 7,265 kilograms of heroin. Officials have also attached properties worth 375 crore rupees belonging to drug dealers as part of the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign.

Context

State police forces in border regions often face unique security challenges due to cross-border smuggling attempts by hostile groups. Governments frequently combine police force expansions and upgraded surveillance technology with community outreach programs to address such organized illegal trade.