Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday launched the second phase of its anti-drugs campaign, Yudh Nashean Virudh, with party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann calling for united public participation to eliminate the drug menace from the state.
Speaking at an event at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Kejriwal said Punjab has shown the country how a “real war against drugs” is fought. He highlighted the outcomes of the first phase, launched in March 2025, saying that nearly 28,000 cases were registered under the NDPS Act in ten months, with courts ordering jail in about 88 per cent of cases. He added that around 42,000 smugglers had been arrested, including several major players and properties built using drug money were demolished.
पंजाब में ‘युद्ध नशेया विरूद्ध’ की शानदार सफलता के बाद आज से उसका Phase 2 शुरू हो गया है।
अब हर पिंड में ‘पहरेदार’ तैनात होंगे जो नशा तस्करों पर पैनी नज़र रखेंगे। हजारों छोटे-बड़े तस्कर पहले ही पकड़े जा चुके हैं और सज़ा पा चुके हैं।
ये युद्ध अब तब तक चलेगा जब तक पंजाब से नशे… pic.twitter.com/i3JGzet1Dw
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 7, 2026
Kejriwal said Phase II would deepen the campaign by turning it into a people-led movement through Village Defence Committees (VDCs). About 1.5 lakh volunteers have already joined these committees, which will report drug activity through a dedicated mobile application while maintaining confidentiality. Citizens can also give a missed call to a dedicated number to join the initiative. Statewide padyatras will be held from January 10 to 30, followed by a large volunteer gathering on February 13.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said drugs are not just a law-and-order issue but a social problem that needs collective action. He accused previous governments of patronising drug networks and said those sins against Punjab would not be forgiven. Mann asserted that the current government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy, broken supply lines, strengthened border surveillance with anti-drone systems and expanded treatment and rehabilitation facilities.
He stressed that drug users should be treated as victims and assured continued focus on counselling and rehabilitation. Mann also highlighted broader governance achievements, including providing over 61,000 jobs and strengthening welfare delivery.
AAP leaders said Phase II would focus equally on enforcement, rehabilitation and prevention, with the aim of making Punjab completely drug free through sustained public participation and strict action against traffickers.