Stories
Punjab Elections: Old Drug Tune Resurfaces, How Long Can Cross-Border Conspiracy Be an Excuse?
- •The issue of drugs has resurfaced in Punjab elections, with past government promises unfulfilled.
- •Drugs are not just a Punjab problem but a national disaster for India, requiring a collective resolve similar to that against Naxalism.
- •PM Modi aims for a drug-free nation, with Home Minister Amit Shah implementing strategies on the ground.
- •The Modi government views drugs as a long-term battle, not just an election issue, involving government agencies, states, and citizens.
- •The goal is a drug-free India by 2029, with a 2026-2029 vision document focusing on intelligence and operations to disrupt supply.
Key Questions Answered
The central government has set a target to make the entire country drug-free by 2029. This initiative forms part of a long-term roadmap that views the drug crisis as a national disaster requiring a collective resolve similar to the campaign against Naxalism.
Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Ludhiana, Ferozepur, and Fazilka have been identified as highly sensitive drug zones, with five of these districts sharing a border with Pakistan where drone-based smuggling has been detected.
Home Minister Amit Shah's formula to dismantle the drug trade consists of three words: first identify, then block access, and finally destroy the goods. This strategy is supported by intelligence-led operations targeting international gangs and synthetic drug supply networks.
