Drug menace next target, says Amit Shah; eyes 2029 deadline

Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed all police forces across India to unite in a campaign to eliminate the drug trade by December 31, 2029. Speaking on Wednesday at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi to mark Police Commemoration Day, Shah declared that the nation’s three primary internal security hotspots, namely Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast, and areas plagued by Left Wing Extremism, have achieved peace. With these threats neutralized, the Home Ministry intends to shift its strategic focus entirely toward combating narcotics over the remaining period until the end of 2029. Shah stated that the ministry has resolved to wage a unified fight against drugs during the years 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. He urged all law enforcement agencies to join this effort to rid the country of the drug problem. The minister noted that while the country faces ongoing challenges, the establishment of stability in previously volatile regions allows for a concentrated push against illicit substances. He specifically highlighted the successful elimination of electoral violence in West Bengal, noting that security personnel completed recent assembly elections without a single loss of life. This achievement, according to Shah, sets a new standard following similar successes in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, leading him to declare that the country is now free from electoral violence. The minister identified 2026 as a pivotal year for the Indian police, citing the victory over Naxalism on March 31, 2026. He expressed gratitude to the Central Reserve Police Force, particularly its CoBRA battalion, and the Chhattisgarh Police for their roles in defeating Left Wing Extremism. To commemorate this milestone and the upcoming Ekta Diwas parade in Kevadia, Gujarat, on October 31, Shah flagged off a nationwide motorcycle rally themed around the fight against drugs. Riders from 36 states and union territories, along with nine Central Armed Police Forces, will converge on Kevadia to participate in the event. Home Secretary Govind Mohan detailed the plans for the Ekta Diwas celebrations, which will coincide with the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and the death of armed Naxalism. Approximately 7,000 individuals from 126 districts formerly affected by Left Wing Extremism will attend as performers and spectators. Additionally, around 5,000 local residents from these districts have been invited. Mohan explained that 2,000 artists from these regions will perform a drama organized by the National School of Drama. Their performance will reenact the daily threats posed by militants to their lives and property during the peak of the insurgency. A parade featuring contingents from all Central Armed Police Forces and state police units will take place before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Short films summarizing the forces' achievements against Naxalism will be displayed on LED screens as each contingent marches past. Shah also announced the launch of Project Karmaveer on the occasion. Under this initiative, former police and Central Armed Police Force personnel, along with widows of martyred officers, will operate 400 common service centers across the country. These centers will provide pension, banking, and other citizen services, offering participants a respectable livelihood. In a social media post, Shah described police personnel and jawans as true heroes who prioritize duty over personal safety. He emphasized that the project honors their sacrifice by empowering their families and veterans to contribute to society through essential public services. Shah placed a wreath at the memorial to honor 36,852 personnel who died in the line of duty. The event served as a platform to acknowledge past sacrifices while outlining future operational priorities. The transition from counter-insurgency operations to anti-drug enforcement marks a significant shift in domestic security strategy. Officials indicated that the coming years will see intensified efforts to dismantle smuggling networks. The coordinated approach involves multiple federal and state agencies working under a shared roadmap known as nasha-mukt Bharat. The successful containment of political violence and insurgent activity provides the foundation for this new phase of policing. Resources previously allocated to high-intensity conflict zones will be redirected toward interdiction and community engagement strategies aimed at curbing drug consumption and distribution.