Over the past two and a half years, Punjab Police on Monday claimed to have made remarkable strides in combating drug trafficking, gang-related crime, and terrorism. Since March 16, 2022, the force claimed to have arrested a staggering 39,840 individuals involved in drug smuggling, including 5,856 major traffickers. The police have also filed 29,152 FIRs, with 3,581 related to commercial quantities of drugs. Their relentless efforts have led to the seizure of 2,546 kg of heroin, 2,457 kg of opium, 1,156 quintals of poppy husk, and 4.29 crore pharmaceutical opioids. Additionally, the police have recovered Rs 30.83 crores in drug money.   Punjab Polices vigilance extended beyond drug enforcement. Since the beginning of this operation, they have neutralized 45 terror modules, leading to the arrest of 272 terrorists and the recovery of 34 rifles, 303 revolvers and pistols, 14 hand grenades, and 290 drones. In their efforts to curb the illegal use of technology, the police have blacklisted 1,663 IMEI numbers, blocked 475 mobile numbers, and shut down 6,500 social media accounts associated with criminal activities.   Tackling Organized Crime and Gangsters   The state Inspector General of Police (IGP), Headquarters, Sukhchain Singh Gill highlighted the Punjab Polices significant progress in combating gang-related crime. He informed that the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has dismantled 508 gangsters or criminal modules, apprehended 1,420 gangsters, and neutralized 12 criminals during this period. They have also seized 1,337 weapons and 294 vehicles used in criminal activities. The AGTFs efforts have led to the recovery of 56.7 kg of heroin and Rs 4.05 crores in drug money. The results of our concerted efforts are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our police personnel, said the IGP, adding, We are committed to ensuring that every criminal network is dismantled, and every individual involved in these heinous activities is brought to justice.   Strategic Approach to Drug Eradication   Punjab Government, led by the Aam Aadmi Partys Government, has adopted a three-pronged strategy — Enforcement, Prevention, and Rehabilitation — to tackle the drug menace. The police have focused on enforcement by conducting regular raids and laying nakas at vulnerable routes. The prevention aspect includes promoting awareness about Section 64-A of the NDPS Act, which offers rehabilitation opportunities for minor drug offenders. So far, 295 individuals caught with small quantities of drugs have chosen to undergo rehabilitation under this provision.  In addition, the police have implemented a special drive to arrest Proclaimed Offenders (POs) and absconders in NDPS cases, with 2,378 such individuals apprehended since the strategys inception.   Continued Efforts and Future Outlook   Since the start of 2024, the Punjab Police have continued their rigorous efforts, arresting 8,789 drug smugglers and suppliers. They have filed 6,439 FIRs, including 825 related to commercial drug trafficking. The recent seizures include 628 kg of heroin, 796 kg of opium, 324 quintals of poppy husk, and 2.83 crores of pharmaceutical opioids. Additionally, Rs 10.32 crores in drug money has been confiscated. The comprehensive approach adopted by the Punjab Police underscored their commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and organized crime. Their proactive measures and relentless drive to dismantle criminal networks continue to make a significant impact on public safety and security.  We are steadfast in our mission to eradicate drugs and criminal activities from Punjab, IGP Gill emphasized. Our efforts will persist until we have a safe and secure environment for all citizens.   Man on a Mission: Kiran Vermas unstoppable walk for blood donation awareness Monika Malik/Chandigarh Kiran Verma, a 39-year-old former marketing professional, has taken on a challenge that most would consider unimaginable — walking across India with the aim of saving lives. On December 28, 2021, Verma set out from Thiruvananthapuram to raise awareness about the critical need for blood donations. His journey, which has already spanned over 21,250 kilometers, is the worlds longest walk for blood donation awareness, covering 24 states and Union Territories. Vermas mission is ambitious but clear — By December 31, 2025, no one in India should die waiting for blood, he said. The roots of Vermas campaign can be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic. Voluntary blood donations in India had plummeted over the past three years, leaving hospitals and blood banks struggling to maintain adequate supplies. Witnessing the crisis during the 2021 plasma shortage, Verma was moved to act. I saw people dying because there wasnt enough blood. It was heart-wrenching, Verma recalled. Determined to make a difference, he left behind his marketing career in 2016, dedicating himself entirely to promoting blood donation. What began as a personal mission has since evolved into a nationwide movement. Vermas walk has taken him across 270 districts, meeting more than two million people personally along the way. His message has reached students, corporate professionals, government officials, and local communities, urging them to donate blood and save lives. His goal is to inspire five million new blood donors by the end of 2025 — a target he believes is achievable with continued awareness and dedication. Vermas walk has already borne fruit. His efforts have led to the organization of 150 blood donation camps throughout India, where more than 31,000 units of blood have been collected. An additional 14,000 units have been donated by individuals who were motivated by Vermas campaign. In total, over 45,000 donations have been made as a direct result of his awareness drive, a significant step toward addressing the countrys blood shortage. Vermas journey hasnt been without its personal challenges. Despite never having trained for such an arduous physical task, he has persevered, driven by the stories he heard along the way. Every inspiring story about blood donation keeps me going, Verma explained. His resilience is also bolstered by the support of his family — his wife and son, who have stood by him throughout this mission. Im not an athlete. Ive never been into sports. But this walk isnt about physical strength…Its about heart and determination, he said. Along the way, Verma has achieved numerous milestones. On June 19, 2023, he set a unique record by crossing three countries — India, Bangladesh, and Nepal — on foot in a single day through the Siliguri Corridor. His journey has also brought him into the public eye, including an appearance on the The Kapil Sharma Show in April 2023, where he shared his story with millions of viewers. On September 15, 2022, he inaugurated a blood bank in Hyderabad named after former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna PV Narasimha Rao, built by the statesmans grandchildren. Vermas walk crossed Chandigarh, and moved over to Punjab via Mohali, as he continued to spread his life-saving message across the border state. Despite the staggering distance he has covered, Verma remained undeterred, focused on his goal of ensuring that Indias blood banks will never run dry again. This is more than just a walk — its a mission to save lives, he said.

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