Action against drug smugglers in Punjab is no longer based solely on police raids; confidential information received from the general public is increasingly playing a pivotal role. The ‘Safe Punjab’ WhatsApp helpline and an e-rickshaw-based information network reaching every village have opened up new avenues for tracking down drug traffickers.
According to official data, 43,520 confidential tips have been received so far; following verification, 17,120 cases were registered, and 21,962 accused individuals were arrested. This clearly indicates that the police are implementing a strategy to tighten the noose on drug smugglers by extending their informant network to the general public. Under the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign, people are providing information about drug smugglers and suppliers via the WhatsApp helpline without revealing their identities. Every tip-off undergoes preliminary verification, and if found credible, the information is forwarded to the concerned district police for action. Police officials believe this initiative is enabling access to areas where gathering intelligence on the drug trade was previously a challenge.
E-rickshaw-based information network
Another crucial component of the campaign is the e-rickshaw-based information network. E-rickshaws deployed by the police and administration have reached approximately 3,440 villages so far. These vehicles serve a dual purpose: raising public awareness and gathering confidential information. Officials state that this system is proving effective in winning the trust of rural residents and establishing a local-level information network.
In several instances, a single tip-off led the police to multiple suspects, resulting in an arrest count that exceeded the number of registered cases. The police assert that the identities of informants are kept strictly confidential, encouraging people to come forward without fear. Public Support for Punjab Police
DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that the increasing public participation indicates a desire for a drug-free environment and shows that people are willing to cooperate with the police, provided their identities remain protected. He added that the police are taking serious action on every piece of information received.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh remarked that lasting success in the fight against drugs cannot be achieved through police action alone; equal importance must be given to aspects such as public participation, awareness, and rehabilitation. He emphasized that the anti-drug campaign in the state can be made more effective only with the cooperation of the public.
