Punjab anti-drug campaign 500 days

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann marked the 500th day of the state's anti-drug campaign 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' and the first anniversary of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) at a meeting in Ludhiana. He reported that 70,000 drug smugglers had been arrested and that 1.25 lakh volunteers across 13,000 villages were active in the movement. Mann asserted the campaign would continue until Punjab is drug-free. He also highlighted improvements in education, claiming Punjab now ranks first in primary and middle-school education according to India — NITI Aayog, surpassing India — Kerala, India — Maharashtra, and India — Delhi. He criticized previous governments, alleging the India — Shiromani Akali Dal introduced drugs and the India — Indian National Congress patronized the menace.