* Reiterates pledge to eradicate drug menace from state
* 10,000 drug smugglers behind bars
Praising the campaign launched by the Punjab government against drugs, former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal said that the ‘war on drugs’ has no parallel in contemporary Indian history.
Addressing a gathering during the drug de-addiction tour, the former Delhi Chief Minister said that many families have had to face suffering due to the curse of drugs and generations of the state have been ruined. He said that the Punjab government is doing commendable work to uproot the scourge of drugs and this war against drugs is unparalleled in the country. Arvind Kejriwal said that people are praising the Chief Minister today because exemplary work is being done by the state government.
Seeking full cooperation from Punjabis in the war against drugs, the former Delhi Chief Minister said that if three crore Punjabis unite against drugs, the drug problem will be eradicated within 24 hours. He said that a handful of drug smugglers cannot stand before the might of Punjabis and they will sink underground. Arvind Kejriwal said that not only the drug supply lines have been broken, but the state government is also paying attention to the rehabilitation of drug victims and this problem can be solved only with the active cooperation of the common man.
The national convener of ‘AAP’ said that on the one hand the state government is adopting a dual policy of stopping drug smuggling and on the other hand the positive energy of the youth is being channeled in the right direction to deal with this menace. He said that Punjab will soon emerge from the clutches of drugs and become the leading state of the country. Arvind Kejriwal said that it is the need of the hour to ensure that Punjab continues to shine in the world and lead the world in every field.
The former Chief Minister of Delhi congratulated the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led state government for the remarkable success of the war on drugs. He said that it is a matter of happiness that the villages which were the hub of drugs are now becoming drug free due to the concerted efforts of the state government. Arvind Kejriwal said that earlier drug smugglers used to get shelter in the state, whereas now 10,000 drug smugglers have been caught, out of which 8500 are big fish.
The national convener of ‘AAP’ said that the war against drugs will be taken to the grassroots level and meetings will be held in about 13000 villages of the state. He said that to channelize the boundless energy of the youth in a positive direction, the state government will construct a stadium in every village and to promote sports on a large scale in the state, 3000 gyms will be built in 3000 big villages of the state. Arvind Kejriwal said that the Punjab government has already provided about 54000 jobs to the youth in the state and now a plan has been made to ensure employment to the youth in every village.
The former Delhi Chief Minister said that the state government has brought the drug menace under control and the day is not far when it will be eradicated soon. He said that the drug eradication campaign will go to every village and town of the state and involve people in the war against drugs so that Punjab can be made completely drug free. Arvind Kejriwal said in clear words that the day is not far when due to the tireless efforts of the state government, Punjab will not only be drug free but will also be the leading state in the country.
The former Delhi Chief Minister said that ministers of previous governments used to patronize drug smugglers and even used to sell/supply drugs in their official vehicles. He said that now the police are also seizing drugs up to a quintal and giving strict punishments so that it deters others from getting involved in trafficking. Arvind Kejriwal said that earlier drug dealers were used as shields, but now these fearsome criminals are being put behind bars.
