Punjab's Drug Crackdown: Rising Rehab Numbers Fuel Political Row
Punjab's anti-drug campaign reports rising seizures, 88-89% conviction rate and more de-addiction centres, amid opposition criticism.
The Aam Aadmi Party government's flagship anti-drug drive in Punjab, 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh', has become the centre of an intensifying political battle. While the administration points to expanding de-addiction infrastructure and a higher conviction rate as evidence of progress, the opposition has dismissed the campaign as a publicity failure.
According to official figures, the campaign's outcomes include a rise in the number of drug seizures, a conviction rate between 88 and 89 per cent, and a significant jump in the number of de-addiction centres across the state. These metrics have been highlighted by the government as proof that its strategy is yielding results.
The opposition, however, contends that the campaign has failed to make a visible public impact, labelling it a publicity exercise rather than a substantive intervention. The criticism comes as rehabilitation numbers continue to climb, adding a new dimension to the long-running debate over Punjab's drug problem.
The political friction underscores the sensitivity of the drug issue in the state, where successive governments have faced pressure to demonstrate tangible outcomes. With the campaign's output now under scrutiny, the focus has shifted to whether the reported statistics translate into meaningful change on the ground.