Article 1: Drugs and bullets
Why in news: Recent killings linked to Punjab’s drug menace and organised crime have raised concerns over drug trafficking, gangster networks, cross-border smuggling and gaps in law enforcement and public safety.
Key Details
- Drug-related violence: The alleged killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and the reported murder of influencer Mad Sandhu highlight concerns about threats faced by individuals confronting criminal networks.
- Drug dependence: A national substance-use survey estimated that 1.28% of Punjab’s population aged 10–75 years had opioid dependence in 2017–18, compared with 0.26% nationally.
- Cross-border trafficking: Punjab’s location near the international border creates challenges for policing, as trafficking networks exploit multiple transport routes, organised crime groups and illicit financial channels.
- Enforcement measures: Punjab’s Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign reported 68,850 arrests and the attachment or confiscation of assets worth ₹319 crore. However, arrests and asset attachment do not necessarily result in convictions or final forfeiture.
Growing Drug Menace and Organised Crime
- Drug Trafficking: Punjab faces challenges from drug smuggling, local drug networks and organised criminal groups.
- Violence Against Activists: The alleged killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota highlights the risks faced by individuals opposing illegal drug businesses.
- Gangster Networks: Drug trafficking is linked to organised crime, targeted killings and illegal financial activities.
- Cross-Border Smuggling: Punjab’s location near the international border makes it vulnerable to cross-border drug supply networks.
- Public Safety: Threats against activists, police personnel and politicians raise concerns about law and order.
Scale and Impact of Drug Abuse
- Opioid Dependence: An AIIMS survey estimated opioid dependence among 1.28% of Punjab’s population aged 10–75 years, compared with 0.26% nationally, for 2017–18.
- Drug Overdose Deaths: NCRB data cited in the article recorded 106 drug overdose deaths in Punjab in 2024, compared with 89 in 2023.
- Public Health Crisis: Drug dependence can damage physical and mental health and increase the burden on healthcare services.
- Social Consequences: Substance abuse can affect families, livelihoods, education and community well-being.
- Data Limitations: Official overdose figures may understate the actual burden because of gaps in medical certification and reporting.
Challenges in Combating Drug Trafficking
- Difficult Geography: Smugglers use different transport routes and methods to move illegal substances.
- Diversion of Chemicals: Pharmaceutical and chemical industries may be exploited to divert controlled substances and precursor chemicals for illegal use.
- Organised Networks: Criminal groups rely on financing, logistics, inter-State connections and possible corrupt facilitators.
- Limits of Enforcement Data: Arrests do not automatically lead to convictions, while asset attachment is different from final forfeiture.
- Vigilantism: Public support for unofficial anti-drug actions may indicate distrust in formal reporting and enforcement systems.
Government Measures and Their Limitations
- Yudh Nashian Virudh Campaign: Punjab’s 2025 anti-drug campaign reportedly led to 68,850 arrests and the attachment or confiscation of assets valued at ₹319 crore.
- Supply Reduction: Enforcement efforts aim to reduce the availability of harmful drugs and disrupt wholesale supply chains.
- Financial Investigation: Authorities need to trace the money, assets and logistics that sustain criminal networks.
- Institutional Accountability: Investigations should identify corruption and collusion wherever evidence supports such findings.
- Rehabilitation: Drug control must include treatment, counselling and rehabilitation, not enforcement alone.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Border Security: Improve intelligence-sharing, surveillance and coordination among central and State agencies.
- Target Organised Networks: Investigate the financial flows, supply chains and logistics behind drug trafficking and targeted killings.
- Protect Vulnerable Individuals: Provide threat assessment and appropriate protection to activists, witnesses and officials facing credible threats.
- Improve Public Trust: Make reporting channels accessible, protect informants and ensure timely, impartial investigations.
- Expand Rehabilitation: Increase access to evidence-based treatment, counselling and community-based rehabilitation.
- Measure Outcomes: Assess anti-drug programmes through convictions, reduced drug availability, improved treatment access and lower overdose deaths—not arrests alone.
Conclusion
Punjab’s drug problem requires a coordinated response that combines law enforcement, border security and public health measures. Authorities must target major suppliers, financial networks and corrupt facilitators while ensuring fair investigations and protection for threatened citizens. Arrests alone cannot measure success. Stronger rehabilitation services, community awareness and transparent prosecution can reduce drug dependence, weaken criminal networks and restore public confidence in formal institutions.
Descriptive question:
Drug trafficking in border States such as Punjab has links with organised crime, public health challenges and national security. Examine the causes of the drug menace and suggest an integrated strategy to address it. (150 words, 10 marks)