Punjab to recruit 10,000 police personnel to combat drug crisis

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Saturday that Punjab will undertake significant police recruitment to address the state's persistent drug problem. Speaking at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Academy in Phillaur after honouring police officers, Mann outlined an expansion of law enforcement resources aimed at tackling narcotics trafficking and consumption.

The recruitment initiative includes immediate measures and longer-term plans. The state government is directly recruiting 450 Assistant Sub-Inspectors, while approximately 3,400 police recruits are currently undergoing training. An additional 10,000 police positions are set to be advertised in the coming financial year, representing a substantial increase in force strength.

Mann directed police to intensify ground-level operations against drug networks, instructing officers to engage with communities in villages and towns while cracking down on the narcotics trade. He emphasized that police have full authority to take legitimate action against drug-related offences without operational constraints.

The anti-narcotics push has evolved into a broader public awareness movement called 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' (War Against Drugs), which has gained traction as a mass mobilization campaign across Punjab. Mann characterized the police expansion as part of a historic initiative to modernize and strengthen the force while directly addressing the state's drug crisis.