Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab crackdown forcing drug traffickers to shift to Haryana, alleges Harpal Cheema
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, February 24, 2026: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday claimed that the Punjab Government’s intensified anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, is yielding tangible results, forcing traffickers to shift their base to neighbouring Haryana.
He alleged that while Punjab has tightened its grip on narcotics networks, a disturbing rise in drug activity is now visible under the BJP-led government in Haryana headed by Nayab Singh Saini.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Cheema said that the AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched a decisive crackdown after assuming office in 2022.
He noted that a special sub-committee was formed to monitor enforcement, and extensive coordination meetings were conducted across districts.
Over 1.5 lakh members of Village Defence Committees recently took an oath to support the anti-drug movement, reflecting what he described as strong public participation.
Cheema alleged that as enforcement has intensified in Punjab, drug traffickers are relocating operations to Haryana.
Drawing parallels with the 2007–2017 SAD-BJP regime in Punjab, he claimed that drugs such as heroin and “chitta” had proliferated during that period, and warned that a similar pattern is now emerging in Haryana.
Referring to Haryana Police officer Sunil Sandhu, Cheema questioned why action was allegedly being taken against the officer after anti-drug operations.
He said Sandhu, known for his work against narcotics and recipient of multiple commendations, was being targeted following a recent seizure that gained attention on social media. Cheema asked what the Haryana government was “trying to protect.”
He also cited the recent seizure of 3,000 kilograms of heroin in BJP-ruled Gujarat, saying the scale of the recovery raises serious concerns about drug networks operating in BJP-governed states.
Questioning the repeated visits of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to Punjab, Cheema alleged that attempts might be underway to allow drug networks to regroup. He asserted that Punjab would not permit any resurgence of narcotics trade and would continue its campaign relentlessly.
Reaffirming the state government’s stand, Cheema said officers acting honestly against drug mafias must be protected and encouraged rather than penalised, adding that Punjab remains committed to eliminating the drug menace through strict enforcement and community participation.