Brought 6th river of drugs to Punjab: AAP slams BJP, Akali Dal amid anti-drug drive

UPDATED: Feb 10, 2026 20:58 IST

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for participating in a campaign against drugs in Punjab, alleging that their previous rule was responsible for the spread of narcotics in the state.

AAP Punjab Chief Spokesperson and MLA said, “With what face are the Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP folks sitting on this campaign against drugs, because they themselves have brought drugs into Punjab. It feels like this campaign has been started with some political motive. In your carelessness, don't end up giving wind to those forces that have drowned Punjab.”

AAP Punjab spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh also spoke on the campaign against drugs launched by the Governor of Punjab. He said, “We are not against the Governor of Punjab's campaign against drugs, but it is regrettable that this campaign was started by taking along those whose rule saw a flood of drugs in Punjab. The Akali-BJP government brought a sixth river of drugs to Punjab, which drowned thousands of Punjab's youth.”

The AAP government launched the ‘Yudh Nashe Virudh 2.0 (War against drugs)’ campaign across Punjab. The initiative, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, aims to eradicate drug abuse by promoting cooperation between officials and local residents.

As part of the campaign, authorities have formed ten-member ‘Pind De Pehredar’ (Village Guards) committees in each village. Modelled on defence committees in border areas, these groups are tasked with prevention, monitoring, and reporting efforts at the grassroots level.

Weeks ago, Punjab Police busted a cross-border narco-smuggling network in Amritsar and seized 51.5 kg of heroin. The police arrested two operatives and recovered 103 packets of heroin during the operation. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were in active connivance with a Pakistan-based handler and were involved in cross-border drug trafficking.

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