Punjab to Launche ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh 2.0’ to Mobilize Public in Fight Against Drugs

Chandigarh, August 4, 2025 — The Punjab government is preparing to escalate its war on drugs with the launch of ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh 2.0’, a people-powered initiative aimed at rooting out the menace through grassroots vigilance.

In this next phase of the campaign, the government plans to form village-level and ward-level defence committees made up of local citizens. These 10 to 20-member groups will act as community sentinels, watching for signs of drug activity and coordinating with police to deter smugglers and peddlers from operating in their areas.

The campaign will be formally launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Ludhiana on Monday, where the first batch of committees will be inaugurated. According to officials, such defence committees will soon be established in every village and urban ward across Punjab. Priority for membership will be given to retired soldiers, teachers, and former government officials, considered credible and experienced in maintaining civic order.

This grassroots strategy marks a shift from the first phase of ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’, which began in March 2025. That phase focused largely on law enforcement-led crackdowns, targeting the drug supply chain. So far, the campaign has led to the arrest of 24,499 drug smugglers and peddlers, as per official records.

The overall strategy is being supervised by a five-member cabinet committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Officials believe that engaging the public directly will enhance vigilance and accountability while reducing the stigma surrounding the drug issue.

By building citizen-led resistance at the grassroots level, the government hopes to close the remaining gaps in enforcement and prevention, particularly in areas where drugs have silently infiltrated communities.