Punjab govt cracks down on drug smugglers illegal encroachments

DAMINI SHARMA

The North News

Chandigarh, March 4

Ludhiana Police, under the ‘Yudh Nashya Virudh’ programme, demolished unauthorized structures built on encroached railway land in Talwandi Kalan village by two drug smugglers. The operation, conducted in collaboration with railway authorities, is part of Punjab government’s ongoing campaign against the drug trade. The demolished properties belonged to Rani, a notorious smuggler with five cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and Shinder Pal, known as Nikka, who faces nine similar charges. The action was taken at the request of the railway department, which identified 32 illegal encroachments in Ludhiana.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Jaskiranjeet Singh Teja emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance approach, assuring that no one involved in drug trafficking would be spared. He highlighted the deployment of sufficient police personnel to ensure a smooth demolition process.