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New Delhi, January 13
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.
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 Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Punjab Bhagwant Singh Mann and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami joined the conference virtually.
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Shri 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.
HM 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.
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. Shri Shah reiterated that only through collective responsibility and dedicated efforts, the goal of a drug-free India can be realized.
He added that between 2004 and 2014, 3.63 lakh kilograms of drugs were seized, which increased sevenfold to 24 lakh kilograms in 10 years from 2014 to 2024, which is a huge achievement. It is an example that the public, the courts, and the entire ecosystem, down to the grassroots level, are responding positively to our efforts.
He further said the value of drugs destroyed in the 10 years between 2004 and 2014 was Rs 8,150 crore, which has increased seven-fold to Rs 56,861 crore in the last 10 years. The Home Minister said that this should not be interpreted as an increase in drug usage, but rather that action is now being taken and results are being achieved.
He stated that the Modi government has worked at a rapid pace to destroy drugs, uncover the networks, and bring the entire ecosystem under the grip of the law.
