Latest news with #WarAgainstDrugs'
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Punjab Police steps up vigil: Mann government deploys anti-drone measures to curb cross-border smuggling
Mann government deploys anti-drone measures to curb cross-border smuggling in Punjab CHANDIGARH: Pakistan has long used drones to smuggle contraband, including heroin, arms, and explosives, into Punjab. In response, the Punjab Police has begun deploying advanced anti-drone technology in a bid to eliminate cross-border drug and arms trafficking. Official data suggests that drone intrusions have reduced significantly in recent years. According to data shared by the state government, drone seizures have risen sharply since 2022. While just 2 drones were intercepted in 2019, 7 in 2020, and 1 in 2021, the numbers spiked following the Aam Aadmi Party's government in Punjab. Punjab Police seized 28 drones in 2022, 121 in 2023, and a record 294 in 2024. As of July 15, 2025, 138 drones have been recovered this year, taking the total to 591 since 2022. Police have also arrested over 22,000 individuals under the state's 'War Against Drugs' campaign. The scale of contraband dropped via drones also remains a major concern. Recoveries so far include 932 kg of heroin, 263 pistols, 14 AK-47 rifles, 66 hand grenades, and nearly 15 kg of RDX. According to state officials, a layered surveillance system has been established in 596 border villages, which includes networks of local residents, retired soldiers, and police personnel tasked with 24/7 monitoring. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Shop Sale Libas Undo The villages have been digitally mapped into three categories, with records of road layouts, suspect lists, and area-specific security requirements. Police officers now log activities using "beat books", and protection teams across villages are connected through WhatsApp. Authorities say the system ensures that security is embedded at the grassroots level rather than being limited to police stations. Punjab government has allocated ₹51 crore for the procurement of nine advanced anti-drone systems. Joint efforts by the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police now involve technology-based tracking, forensic analysis, and communication surveillance to intercept drones. The AAP-led Punjab government said in a statement,' Whether it's drones, drugs, terrorism, or smuggling, no one will be spared. This is not just a matter of state security; it's about national safety, and the Punjab government is addressing it with full force.' Officials say districts such as Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Firozpur, and Fazilka were previously known for frequent drone activity, are now witnessing stronger border control.
Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Indian Express
Nigerian man arrested in Mohali with 540 g of high-grade cocaine: police
Under their state-wide 'War Against Drugs' campaign, Punjab Police on Monday claimed to have arrested a Nigerian citizen in Mohali with 540 g of high-grade cocaine and Rs 10,000 believed to be proceeds from illegal drugs sales. Echzoaa Ezeawna Rio Abrnr, originally from Awka, Imo state, Nigeria, was stopped at a checkpoint near Golden Estate, Kharar, the police said. He lived at Golden Estate, Sector 115, Khooni Majra, Kharar. A search of his backpack yielded 540 g of cocaine, Rs 10,000 in cash, eight large and 10 small empty sachets, a digital scale, a steel spoon, a roll of tape marked 'Zomato', and assorted coloured rubber bands, according to the police. 'Preliminary interrogation reveals he brought the entire consignment from the NCR-Delhi and targeted college and university students in Kharar,' said Harmandeep Singh Hans, Senior Superintendent of Police. The accused was produced before a magistrate, who remanded him in police custody for two days. His mobile phone has been handed over to a forensic team to trace the wider drug network, and further arrests are expected. The operation was led by Superintendent of Police (Rural) Manpreet Singh and Deputy Superintendent of Police Karan Singh Sandhu, with Sadar Kharar Station House Officer Amarinder Singh supervising it. An FIR was registered at the Kharar Sadar police station on June 21 under section 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
New Indian Express
02-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Punjab village 'for sale' over drug menace
CHANDIGARH: Following the brutal attack by alleged drug peddlers on an ex-serviceman on Sunday in Bakhtaur village in Bathinda district of Punjab has prompted villagers to put up a sign declaring, "Our Village is for Sale." Lakhbir Singh, a farmer from Bhai Bakhtaur village in Bathinda district on Sunday posted a hand-written banner at the village entrance which read `` Our Village is For Sale '' (Saada pind vikau hai). This step was taken after a day after ex-serviceman Ranbir Singh was allegedly brutally thrashed by two men, Kuldeep Singh and Gurpreet Singh involved in drug cases. Lakhbir also posted a video denouncing the attack and accusing the police of failing to protect villagers from drug violence. According to Bathinda SP Amneet Kondal, Singh had reportedly been urging youths to leave drugs and play sports. This message appears to have triggered local drug peddlers. Singh is presently admitted in a hospital at Bathinda. Police have arrested both accused and booked them on charges of attempted murder, unlawful restraint, and causing grievous hurt, he added Vineet Joshi, media head of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab, alleged that on June 1, three people died of drug overdoses in different villages across the state—Deharka (Ludhiana district), Rodikpura (Faridkot district), and Senia (Fazilka district). Meanwhile, in Bakhtaur village in Bathinda, frustrated residents put up a sign reading, "Our Village is for Sale", in a desperate protest against the unchecked drug menace. 'This reflects the grim reality behind the so-called 'War Against Drugs' and exposes the failure of the AAP government's May 31 deadline to make Punjab drug-free. The message 'Sadda Pind Bikau Hai' is not a political slogan—it's a cry of anguish from a village gripped by fear and helplessness. Today, shopkeepers, labourers, and even women in rural Punjab feel unsafe. While farmers and protesters are swiftly arrested—sometimes along with their mothers and sisters—drug traffickers continue to roam free, even with multiple cases pending against them,' Joshi said. Punjab's situation is now worse than Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. villagers live in fear of "Chitta" (heroin) smugglers, who openly threaten them. We are not political workers, nor affiliated with any party, but things have gone too far now," said a youth in a viral video, where he praised UP CM Yogi Adityanath for his crackdown on criminals.
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
AAP appoints former Timarpur MLA Dillip Pandey as its overseas cordinator
New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) appointed Former Timarpur MLA Dilip Pandey as the party's Overseas Coordinator. The main Opposition party in Delhi had on Wednesday released a list of new office bearers. Jitender Singh Tomar was appointed as Madhya Pradesh's Prabhari. Rajesh Gupta, Rituraj Govind and Mahendra Yadav were appointed as Prabhari of Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, respectively. Dheeraj Tokas has been made the Prabhari of Rajasthan. Prakash Jarwal was appointed as the Prabhari of Maharashtra. Ghanendra Bhardwaj and Vijay Phulara were appointed as Sah Prabhari of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, respectively. Four leaders were appointed as the Sah Prabhari of Uttar Pradesh: Dilip Pandey, Vishesh Ravi, Anil Jha and Ch. Surendra Kumar. On Friday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal announced a 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' amid the ongoing 'War Against Drugs' in Punjab, which has been initiated by the administration to eliminate drug abuse in the state. He will be accompanied by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in this endeavour to curb drug abuse in Punjab. He said that the 'Nasha Multi Yatra' would reach each village and ward in Punjab to strengthen people's resolve against drug abuse and the selling of drugs. It would also focus on convincing people to provide treatment to drug addicts to ensure their well-being. 'From today, the Nasha Mukti Yatra is starting in Punjab. This Yatra will go to every village and every ward of Punjab. Through this Yatra, people will now be connected with the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan. In every village and every ward, people will take an oath that they will not consume drugs themselves, will not let anyone sell drugs in their area and will get the drug addicts treated and get them out of addiction,' Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi, posted on X. He stated that the Punjab government has made arrangements for the treatment of drug addicts. 'The Punjab government has made arrangements on a large scale for the treatment of drug addicts. Three crore members of the Punjab family will now ensure that they eliminate drug addiction from Punjab,' Kejriwal said. 'In the last two and a half months, Punjab Police and Punjab Government have started a war against drugs. For the first time, action is being taken against drug smugglers on such a large scale,' he added. (ANI)
India Gazette
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"People will answer this dictatorship": Kejriwal after ED detains Gujarat Samachar co-founder
New Delhi [India], May 16 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday condemned the detention of co-owner of Gujarat Samachar Bahubali Shah following the raids by Income Tax (IT) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the leading daily, which he said was not a coincidence since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 'wants to silence' every questioning voice. Further, he said that Gujarat would soon give an answer to this 'dictatorship.' He further said that Shah's 'detention' came 48 hours after raids were carried out on Gujarat Samachar and GSTV. Kejriwal added that it was a sign of the BJP's frustration. 'The raids by IT and ED on Gujarat Samachar and GSTV in the last 48 hours, and then the arrest of their owner, Bahubali Bhai Shah - all this is not a coincidence. This is a sign of the frustration of the BJP, which wants to silence every voice that speaks the truth and asks questions. The people of the country and Gujarat will answer this dictatorship very soon,' Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi, posted on X. Earlier, Kejriwal announced a 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' amid the ongoing 'War Against Drugs' in Punjab, which has been initiated by the administration to eliminate drug abuse in the state. He said that the 'Nasha Multi Yatra' would reach each village and ward in Punjab to strengthen people's resolve against drug abuse and the selling of drugs. It would also focus on convincing people to provide treatment to drug addicts to ensure their well-being. 'From today, the Nasha Mukti Yatra is starting in Punjab. This Yatra will go to every village and every ward of Punjab. Through this Yatra, people will now be connected with the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan. In every village and every ward, people will take an oath that they will not consume drugs themselves, will not let anyone sell drugs in their area and will get the drug addicts treated and get them out of addiction,' Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi, posted on X. He stated that the Punjab government has made arrangements for the treatment of drug addicts. (ANI)
