Ask states to adopt ruthless approach
Says we are close to success in this battle
New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, chaired a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi Saturday.
The Home Minister also launched the Drug Disposal Fortnight, inaugurated the new office complex of Bhopal Zonal Unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and extension of MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and Union Territories.
The objective of the conference, organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau, is to focus on tackling the growing concern of drug trafficking and its impact on national security, with a special focus on eight states and union territories of northern India.
The Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Singh Mann and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami joined the conference virtually.
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Vinai Kumar Saxena, Union Home Secretary, Director of Intelligence Bureau, Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau, senior officials from the eight participating States and Union Territories, senior officers from various Union Ministries, Departments and Law Enforcement Agencies also attended the conference.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that regional conferences have played a pivotal role in strengthening the nation’s fight against drugs.
He highlighted that in 2024, the NCB and police forces across India seized drugs valued at Rs 16,914 crore—the highest figure since independence—indicating significant progress in the campaign against this menace.
Shah stressed the importance of timely policies, enhanced intensity, meticulous micro-planning, and consistent monitoring to address the challenges ahead. He underscored that achieving a drug-free India is crucial to realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a fully developed India by 2047.
He called for unified efforts, urging both the union and state governments, along with all relevant departments, to work collaboratively with dedication and commitment to eradicate this evil. He said that we are determined to destroy the entire ecosystem of narco terror.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, announced the launch of ‘Drug Disposal Fortnight’ dedicated to the destruction of confiscated narcotics.
As part of this campaign, one lakh kilograms of narcotics valued at approximately Rs 8,600 crore will be destroyed over the next ten days, sending a powerful message to the public about the government’s commitment to eradicating drugs.
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive, 360-degree “Whole of Government” approach to achieve total victory in the fight against drugs.
Shah also inaugurated the regional unit in Bhopal and dedicated the extension of the MANAS-2 helpline across 36 states and union territories.
He urged all states to actively promote the MANAS app and toll-free number, emphasizing the importance of prompt, result-oriented action on every call to enhance the helpline’s credibility.
He noted that over 25,000 people have already engaged with the helpline and stressed the need for swift action on every call to ensure its effectiveness. Shah reiterated that only through collective responsibility and dedicated efforts, the goal of a drug-free India can be realized.
Union Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the fight against drugs has strengthened a lot in the past 10 years and it has yielded very good results.
He mentioned that we are very close to success in this battle, and are moving in the right direction.
Amit Shah said that we have made several changes in investigations, not only exposing drugs but also uncovering the terrorism networks associated with them. The local police of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, along with central agencies, have uncovered several cases of narco-terrorism.
He mentioned that instead of being satisfied with these successes, we need to work with even more speed and enthusiasm. Shri Shah stated that the use of the dark web, crypto-currency, online marketplaces, and drones continues to pose a challenge for us.
He said that all agencies should strengthen the resolve for a drug-free India by stopping drug smuggling through the dark web, crypto-currency, and drones.
Shah said that for the success of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ campaign, technical solutions to these challenges must be found by our agencies, state governments, and the youth involved in this field; only then this fight could be result-oriented. He mentioned that India is one of the largest producers of precursor chemicals, which is a concern in the fight against drugs.
When strict measures are taken against traditional drugs, a natural diversion towards chemical drugs occurs.
He added that at least 50 illegal labs have been caught across the country, which shows that due to our strict actions, the demand for drugs has increased, and they are being diverted through different channels.
He emphasized that we need to stop this diversion immediately. The Home Minister urged all states to destroy illegal clandestine labs with rigor and take legal action against them with a ruthless approach.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Modi government has changed its approach against drugs since 2019. He mentioned that the Modi government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against the drug supply chain, a strategic approach for demand reduction, and a human approach for the victims.
He also stated that we need to increase the use of PIT-NDPS (Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act).
He emphasized the need to strategically and cautiously expand the use of legal provisions for asset confiscation. Amit Shah also urged states to take proactive steps to enhance the capacity of Forensic Labs (FSL) instead of relying solely on the Centre for support.
Amit Shah stressed upon the importance of investigating drug cases using both ‘top-to-bottom’ and ‘bottom-to-top’ approaches. He highlighted that no narcotics case should be treated as an isolated incident, and investigations must continue until the entire network behind it is uncovered.
He urged that each case should be seen as an opportunity to dismantle a broader network, ensuring the fight against drugs reaches its logical conclusion.
Shah emphasized the critical role of financial investigations in tackling the drug trade, including seizing properties linked to illicit activities. He stated that no major case should be concluded without a thorough financial investigation.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that to ensure the success of the Whole of Government Approach, NCORD meetings must be conducted with greater vigilance, increased frequency, and a focus on achieving tangible results with full sensitivity.
He urged all states to hold district-level NCORD meetings, highlighting that making one district drug-free could pave the way for a drug-free nation.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah said that a public movement and awareness against drugs are also important, and the education department, social welfare department, and health department should work should also work with promptness.
He added that state government officials should make maximum use of the NIDAAN (National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco Offenders) portal. Along with this, we will also need to make changes in the rules and procedures as necessary for financial investigations, so that proper investigations can be conducted in such cases.
Shah said that the NCB should train all state government’s narcotics units and prosecution teams to ensure a 100% conviction rate in drug cases. State governments must take the lead in establishing special NDPS courts so that delays in the action on registered cases do not hinder the fight against drugs.
Amit Shah said that 7 per cent people in India use drugs illegally. He stated that now is the time when we can all contribute to this fight and succeed in winning it.
He added that if we miss this opportunity today, there will be no chance to reverse it later. He also mentioned that we have the example of several western countries where drugs have become a serious issue, and they have no solution to it.
