The AAP Government’s 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign against drugs in Punjab received a significant boost on Friday with the launch of the 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal. The campaign kick-started from Langroya village in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, which proudly declared itself drug-free, setting an example for the entire state.
Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, along with MP Malvinder Kang, addressed the media after the launch of this yatra. AAP leader expressed gratitude to the Panchayat and residents of Langroya for their dedicated efforts in eradicating drugs from their village. He highlighted that the government, with the active support of the people, is determined to make Punjab drug-free. Minister Bains said that the 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' is not a political campaign but a social revolution aimed at uniting every Punjabi in the fight against drugs.
“This is a historic movement for Punjab. Today, Langroya stands as a beacon of hope, proving that with collective willpower and determination, no challenge is insurmountable. Villages that were once stigmatized due to drug abuse are now leading the fight against it. This campaign will reach all 13,000 villages in Punjab, ensuring every village becomes a fortress against drugs,” Bains said.
The minister further elaborated on the campaign's multi-faceted approach. Daily Gram Sabhas will be organized in three villages from each constituency, where people will take pledges to fight drugs, identify and rehabilitate addicts, and ensure no drug traffickers operate in their areas. Residents will also work with authorities to guide those affected by drugs to de-addiction centers for counseling and rehabilitation.
Minister Bains appealed to all Punjabis, including political leaders across party lines, retired employees, and youth clubs, to actively participate in this movement. “This is not just a government initiative; it is a people’s revolution. Together, we will reclaim Punjab’s glory and eliminate the scourge of drugs from our land,” he added.
MP Malvinder Kang said that the AAP, under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, remains resolute in its mission to eradicate the menace of drugs from Punjab. He said, "In 2022, a drug-free Punjab was our guarantee, our commitment to the people of Punjab. We are fulfilling our guarantees."
Kang highlighted how the previous regimes enabled the proliferation of drugs through political patronage, causing immense harm to the state's youth and their future. He assured that the current government is steadfastly implementing reforms, fostering awareness, and providing support for rehabilitation to ensure a drug-free Punjab.