Amit Shah to States: Adopt Zero Tolerance Policy Against Illegal Drug Labs

New Delhi: In a move to strengthen India’s fight against drug trafficking and abuse, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, chaired a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ in New Delhi today.

The conference, organized by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), brought together top officials from eight states and union territories of northern India to discuss the growing concern of drug trafficking and its impact on national security.

Addressing the gathering, Shah emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle the menace of drug trafficking. He highlighted the significant progress made in the campaign against drugs, with the NCB and police forces seizing drugs valued at Rs 16,914 crore in 2024, the highest figure since independence.

To further intensify the fight against drugs, Shah launched the ‘Drug Disposal Fortnight’, a campaign dedicated to destroying confiscated narcotics. Over the next ten days, one lakh kilograms of narcotics valued at approximately Rs 8,600 crore will be destroyed, sending a strong message about the government’s commitment to eradicating drugs.

The Home Minister also inaugurated the new office complex of the Bhopal Zonal Unit of the NCB and extended the MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and union territories. He urged all states to promote the MANAS app and toll-free number, emphasizing the importance of prompt action on every call to enhance the helpline’s credibility.

Shah stressed the need for a unified approach to tackle the menace of drug trafficking, urging both the union and state governments to work collaboratively with dedication and commitment to eradicate the evil of drug abuse.

The conference was attended by several dignitaries, including the Governor of Punjab, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Ministers of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, and senior officials from various Union Ministries, Departments, and Law Enforcement Agencies.

The meeting marked a significant step forward in India’s fight against drug trafficking and abuse, with a renewed focus on cooperation, development, and mutual understanding.