‘Make India Drug Free’

metro india news  I 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday gave a clarion call to the police forces across the country to ensure the drug menace is eliminated by the end of 2029.

He described the target as a major national priority, warning that drug abuse threatens future generations, places an undue burden on the economy and provides financial support to organisations involved in anti-national activities.

He was at the event paying homage to police martyrs at the National Police Memorial (NPM) on Police Commemoration Day. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set December 31, 2029 deadline to make India drugs free.

Amit Shah said the remaining months of 2026, along with 2027, 2028 and 2029, would be devoted to a united fight against drugs.

Lauds Chhattisgarh Police

The Minister noted that the country has eliminated decades of Naxalism by March 31, 2026, crediting Chhattisgarh Police, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and CoBRA for their role in combating insurgency.

Amit Shah said more than 3,600 security personnel and approximately 13,700 civilians had been killed in violence associated with Naxalism between 1981 and March 2026. He praised the CRPF, its CoBRA battalion and the Chhattisgarh Police for their efforts in combating Naxalism.

CAPF hailed

The Home Minister hailed CAPF personnel for their dedicated work in eliminating naxals and specially mentioned their quality of staying away from their families, remain vigilant and strengthen the nation's internal security on every occasion, whether during elections, festivals, protests or border security duties.

Security personnel achieved a significant success by ensuring that West Bengal elections were completed without a single fatality, establishing a new benchmark, the Union Home Minister said.

Shah presided over the annual event, which included a joint parade of Central Armed Police Forces and Delhi Police.

Revanth vows crackdown on drugs, cybercrime

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday said that the state government is taking concrete steps to check new challenges to policing, including narcotics and cybercrimes. Speaking at the Police Commemoration Day Parade on Wednesday, he informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently appreciated the efforts of the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Force set up by the state government to check the supply of narcotics.

Observing that the fight against drug abuse is not the responsibility of the police alone, he said educational institutions, teachers and youth need to contribute to the effort. Expressing concern over rising road accidents, the CM said the state government has set up the Telangana Traffic Management, Road and Rail Safety Bureau to coordinate traffic management, highway patrolling, accident investigation, and road safety measures.

He said TG SAFE (Telangana Standards Authority for Food and Essential Drugs) is taking tough measures against food adulteration. The government would intensify the efforts to ensure the quality of food served in the hotels, he said. Along with SHE teams working to ensure women's safety, the government also launched the 'Stand With Her' initiative to foster a greater sense of social responsibility in supporting women, the CM said. 'Spandana' -- set of 'Immediate Protection Teams' -- was another initiative enforced to provide instant help for women and children during emergencies, he added. Talking about the concept of 'friendly policing', he asserted that policemen should be friendly towards those approaching them for help. Meanwhile, they should be tough against offenders involved in illegal encroachment of lands, food adulteration and drug supply, he said.

Highlighting the police welfare measures initiated by the government, he said the ex-gratia amount has been increased to Rs one crore from Rs 45 lakh for Head Constables and ASIs.For Sub-Inspectors, the amount has been increased from Rs 45 lakh to Rs 1.25 crore, and for Inspectors, from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1.25 crore.The compensation for SP and IPS officers was enhanced to Rs two crore from Rs one crore.