'Yudh Nashian Virudh' begins: 290 drug smugglers arrested in raids at 800 places on day one

The Punjab government has launched a major campaign against drugs, 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (War Against Drugs). On Saturday, March 1, Punjab Police carried out a statewide cordon and search operation (CASO) at the same time across the state.

In the four-hour operation, more than 900 police teams with over 8,000 personnel raided about 800 locations.

On the first day alone, 290 drug smugglers were arrested and more than 230 FIRs registered. Police also recovered heroin, opium and thousands of intoxicant tablets and injections.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government says the campaign will continue until Punjab is drug-free, with treatment for people quitting drugs alongside the arrests of smugglers.

Villages are joining in too: the government says panchayats are passing resolutions against drugs so that police and people can root out the problem together.