Members of Defense Committees Will Protect Villages and Cities by becoming ‘generals’ in the war on drugs

Distributes Identification cards to members of Defence Committees

Nabaz-e-Punjab, Ludhiana, August 4:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said that the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign in the state has reached its final phase, and the newly formed Defence Committees in villages and cities will uproot drug trafficking from the state.
Addressing the members of these Defence Committees, the Chief Minister said the Punjab government launched the campaign on February 4 this year and has achieved major success in eliminating the root of the drug problem. He added that the backbone of the drug supply chain has been entirely broken. Bhagwant Singh Mann profusely thanked the people of Punjab for their enthusiastic support in this noble mission to save the future generations.
The Chief Minister said that to keep villages and cities drug-free in the future, the government has formed Defence Committees. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he is fully confident that these defence committees will act as generals in this war against drugs and safeguard our villages and cities. We have dreamt of making Punjab vibrant again, and with your cooperation, no power in the world can stop us from realizing this dream, he added.
The Chief Minister said that he had pledged to restore Punjab’s pride, honour, and self-respect adding that no stone will be left unturned for it. Bhagwant Singh Mann explained that each Village or Ward Defence Committee will be formed with four core members: the village sarpanch or ward councillor, a representative from the anti-drug campaign, the BDPO or their representative, and the SHO or their representative. He said that these committees will include 10 to 20 members depending on the population adding that only individuals with clean records and reputations—such as retired army personnel, teachers, and village headmen—will be included.
The Chief Minister categorically said that each committee will be officially notified by the local SDM and committee members will be issued special government ID cards. He said that it will facilitate communication with the administration regarding drug-related information or anti-drug activities. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Villages and wards will have 24/7 surveillance to ensure no trafficker dares to operate.

During the event, identification cards were officially distributed to Defence Committee members.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, and other dignitaries were also present.