JALANDHAR/PHILLAUR, October 16, 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is in Jalandhar district on Friday for a high-level review of the state government’s campaign against drugs, with senior police and administrative officers from across Punjab called to the Punjab Police Academy in Phillaur.
The meeting brings together Senior Superintendents of Police, Deputy Commissioners, Deputy Superintendents of Police, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and senior officials from key departments. The exercise is aimed at assessing how the state’s anti-drug strategy is working at the district and ground levels and identifying areas where enforcement or coordination needs to improve.
A major focus of the review is expected to be the government’s “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign. District administrations have been asked to present updated information on identified drug hotspots, action taken during recent weeks, local-level challenges and the steps proposed to deal with areas where the problem continues to persist.
The government is also reviewing coordination between police, civil administration, health authorities and other departments. Officials are expected to discuss whether enforcement against drug networks is being matched by rehabilitation, awareness programmes and community-level intervention.
The 60-day hotspot campaign is among the initiatives under review. Progress involving village and ward defence committees, local outreach programmes and district-specific micro-plans is also expected to form part of the discussion.
Law and order has become an equally important part of the conversation following a series of serious incidents in Punjab. The killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa has placed additional public focus on the safety of people who raise complaints about the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating substances.
Jhota’s killing has triggered widespread anger and demands for stronger action against both drug-related networks and any officials found negligent in dealing with complaints. The case remains under police investigation, and administrative action has also followed against officials connected with the handling of the matter.
However, the Phillaur review should not be described as having been arranged solely after Jhota’s murder. The meeting had already been scheduled as part of the government’s broader anti-drug review process before the killing took place. The incident has nevertheless added urgency and political significance to the discussions.
Officials attending the meeting have been asked to present measurable district-level results rather than general updates. These include information on drug hotspots, recent enforcement, operational difficulties and practical measures that can be implemented in the coming weeks.
The government is also expected to examine the misuse of pharmaceutical and medical drugs, an issue that has come under renewed attention following recent cases involving chemist shops and allegations of unauthorised sale of intoxicating medicines.
Another key element of the meeting is accountability. Senior officers are expected to assess areas where repeated complaints continue despite enforcement drives and determine whether stronger supervision or changes in local strategy are required.
Chief Minister Mann has previously held direct interactions with field-level police officers as part of the anti-drug campaign. Friday’s meeting widens that process by bringing senior police and civil administration officials together on a single platform.
The review comes at a sensitive time for the Punjab government, with the anti-drug campaign facing close public and political scrutiny. While the government has highlighted enforcement operations and arrests under its ongoing drive, recent incidents have led to renewed questions over whether the strategy is producing sufficient change at the ground level.
The outcome of the Phillaur meeting is expected to shape the next phase of Punjab’s anti-drug campaign, with greater emphasis on district-wise accountability, coordinated enforcement and action against drug supply networks.
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