New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that India aims to completely uproot the drug trade from the country by December 31, 2029, through collective efforts. He inaugurated the 3rd National Conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Heads of States/UTs in the capital, launching public awareness campaigns and laying the foundation stone for new Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) complexes.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that during the two-day conference, attended by ANTF heads from all 36 states and Union Territories, Shah emphasized that combating drug trafficking is a critical battle requiring national unity and passion. He stated that the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has made significant strides against other major challenges like terrorism in Kashmir, insurgency in the Northeast, and Naxalism over the past five years. The fight against drugs, however, is presented as the most difficult but essential undertaking for building a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and safeguarding future generations.
The Union Home Minister introduced the ‘Vision Document 2026-2029′ as a guiding roadmap for all stakeholders involved in the anti-narcotics campaign. This document, developed through extensive consultations with over 35 departments and various stakeholders, outlines specific targets and timelines. Shah stressed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the NCB cannot succeed alone, calling for top-tier priority and complete dedication from all involved entities.
Highlighting the profound impact of drug abuse, Shah urged participants to recognize the shared responsibility in eradicating this menace. He painted a poignant picture of families devastated by addiction, emphasizing that a collective resolve is needed to prevent drugs from entering or leaving India. The vision is to create a drug-free nation, enabling youth to contribute fully to the country’s development.
The strategy articulated by Shah involves moving from a seizure-centric approach to dismantling entire drug networks. This includes backward-forward investigations, financial probes, and tracing digital footprints to target the illicit earnings of drug traffickers. The focus will be on three levels of cartels: entry points, inter-state distribution, and local sales. Districts will be categorized based on their role in manufacturing, transit, or consumption of drugs.
Shah further elaborated on the four pillars of the Vision Document 2026-2029: Enforcement, Intelligence & Operations; Control of Precursor & Synthetic Drugs; Demand & Harm Reduction; and Capacity Building & Coordination. The document includes over 100 targets, with initiatives like registering ‘Nashamukt Mitras’ (Drug-Free Friends) to carry the campaign to educational institutions nationwide.
The conference aims to transform the ANTF into an ‘Anti-Narco Mission Command,’ requiring Chief Secretaries to adopt a revised approach to manpower, technology, and budget allocation. The government is prioritizing technology and forensics in capacity building. Shah also underscored the importance of increasing the utilization of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act and coordinating with public prosecutors to ensure convictions.
A dedicated campaign is planned for the deportation and blacklisting of foreign nationals involved in drug trafficking. Fugitives supplying drugs from abroad will be pursued and brought to justice. By targeting borders and production centers, all loopholes in the supply chain are to be plugged. The Home Minister expressed confidence that these integrated efforts will lead to victory in the war against drugs.
The national conference is expected to strengthen partnerships between the NCB and state ANTFs, fostering a ‘Whole of Government Approach’ to combat drug trafficking effectively over the next three years. The deliberations are intended to enhance the enforcement of drug control laws and bolster strategies to protect the nation’s youth.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
