Bhagwant Mann announced a people‑led anti‑drug campaign at a Punjab Police Academy review meeting in Phillaur, Jalandhar, following the killing of activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. The murder, which has reignited fears of a growing drug menace across the state, prompted Mann to demand a broader societal response beyond law enforcement.
Mann declared that drug users should be treated as patients, not suspects, and that the government would not interfere in policing decisions. "There will be no recommendation from the Punjab government asking the police not to register a case or not to take action," he said, urging officers to work without fear or political pressure.
The chief minister highlighted the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign, calling for sports and public participation to galvanise the community. "We have to protect Punjab. No one from outside will come and do it for us," Mann asserted, invoking the legacy of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
With his tenure nearing its end, Mann’s assurances come as the fallout from Jhota’s murder keeps the issue firmly in the political spotlight. Police officials are expected to launch a comprehensive crackdown on drug supply chains in the coming weeks, with a review of current enforcement protocols scheduled for early July.