Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday pledged to free Punjab from the drug trade by December 31, 2029, and urged the state government to hand over two murder investigations to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Addressing a Vijayadashami celebration in Ludhiana, HM Shah burned a symbolic Ravana effigy representing “chitta”, or drugs, linking the festival’s message of good triumphing over evil with the campaign against narcotics.
HM Shah said he had met families at three locations in Punjab who had lost their sons in the fight against drugs. Their grief, questions and pain were deeply disturbing, he said.
Noting that the Punjab government had transferred one of the murder investigations to the CBI, he called for the remaining two cases to be handed over as well.
HM Shah said those responsible would be brought to justice, regardless of their influence or position, once the investigations were entrusted to the central agency.
“By 31 December 2029, we will free the entire Punjab from the drug trade and make it a drug-free Punjab,” he said, describing the commitment as a tribute to the three individuals who had lost their lives.
The Home Minister urged residents to report information about drug trafficking through the Narcotics Control Bureau’s toll-free helpline, assuring them that the government would act on it.
Referring to Vijayadashami’s significance, HM Shah said the burning of Ravana symbolised the victory of good over evil and encouraged people to overcome ego, pride, greed and other harmful tendencies.
He also recalled hearing since childhood about Ludhiana’s Ravana Dahan celebrations, saying the local Ramlila Committee had organised the event for 200 years.
HM Shah asserted that the Narendra Modi government had a record of fulfilling its promises. Citing the removal of Articles 370 and 35A, he claimed terrorism was nearing elimination and Naxalism had been ended, and said the government would similarly tackle the drug trade.
