Village and Ward Defence Committees to Play Key Role in Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse
Government and Public Efforts Aimed at Making Punjab Drug-Free and Restoring the Vision of ‘Rangla Punjab’
Rupnagar, September 17: The Village Defence Committees and Ward Defence Committees will play an important role in creating awareness among people and strengthening efforts to prevent drug abuse at the grassroots level.
Under the Punjab Government’s ongoing ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign, public participation is being further strengthened. According to the campaign plan, from September 20, village and ward-level Defence Committees will hold meetings with residents in their respective areas to intensify awareness and collective efforts against drug abuse. Similar preparations for village and ward-level meetings from September 20 have also been reported as part of the campaign’s wider grassroots outreach.
This was stated by Rupnagar MLA Advocate Dinesh Chadha while addressing a special review meeting with members of Village Defence Committees and Ward Defence Committees at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhawan, Rupnagar, held under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign.
MLA Dinesh Chadha said that the fight against drugs is not the responsibility of the government alone but a collective responsibility of society. He said that the government, administration, police, Panchayats, Defence Committees, social organisations and the public need to work together to strengthen efforts against drug abuse.
He appealed to village Sarpanches, block-level representatives and Defence Committee members to work with dedication and responsibility in their respective areas to prevent drug abuse. He emphasised the need to connect young people with sports, education, employment and other constructive activities to help keep them away from drugs.
Dinesh Chadha said that drug abuse is a serious challenge affecting society as a whole and therefore requires collective responsibility and coordinated efforts. He added that public trust and cooperation are important to strengthening the campaign at the grassroots level.
District Coordinator of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign Harpreet Singh Kahlon said that the government is committed to making Punjab drug-free. He said public participation in the campaign is increasing and efforts are being made to achieve the objective of making Punjab a ‘Rangla Punjab’ through collective action.
SDM Rupnagar Jaspreet Singh said that the identity and information of people providing information regarding drug-related activities to the administration or concerned authorities would be kept confidential. He appealed to people to share information regarding the sale, trafficking or use of drugs with the administration without fear or hesitation so that appropriate action could be taken.
Representing the police department, SHO Rupnagar City Pawan Chaudhary said that Rupnagar Police is committed to combating drug-related activities. He said the identity of people providing information about drug sellers is being kept confidential. He added that legal action is being taken against persons involved in drug trafficking, including action related to properties associated with such activities, wherever permissible under law, in coordination with the civil administration.
During the meeting, the team of Kranti Kala Manch presented an awareness play, ‘Chanan De Vanjare’, highlighting the harmful effects of drug abuse. The play conveyed a message to young people and the general public to stay away from drugs and contribute collectively towards building a drug-free society.
Similarly, singer Sarwan Farzi from Nurpur Bedi presented a song dedicated to the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign and delivered a message of awareness against drug abuse.
Those present on the occasion included Chairman Bhag Singh Madan, Chairman Shiv Kumar Lalpura, Chairman Block Samiti Rupnagar Malkit Singh Bhanghu, BDPO Rupnagar Amit Sharma, BDPO Nurpur Bedi Amrik Singh, SHO Police Station Sadar Rupnagar Sunny Khanna, Halqa Coordinator Rupnagar of ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign Avtar Singh Kunnar, Halqa Coordinator Sri Chamkaur Sahib Parshotam Singh Mahal, Gurnam Singh Ladl, Shamsher Singh Patiala, and Prabhjot Kaur from the Health Department, besides officials and employees from various departments, members of Defence Committees and other prominent persons.
