Home Minister Amit Shah calls for 'ruthless approach' against drug traffickers (Lead)
New Delhi, June 26
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday released the 'Narcotics Control Vision Document 2026-2029' and advocated a tech-driven, 'ruthless approach' against drug traffickers by law enforcement agencies.
Chairing the 10th apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in the national capital on Friday, he said, "If we fight against drug trafficking collectively, we will cover a long distance in this battle in the next three years."
"Our response must be intelligence-led. We need to adopt a technology-driven approach. We will have to fight using a network-centric strategy. We must move forward with a ruthless approach; only then can we achieve victory against this challenge," he said.
The Union Minister also reminded officials that their 'ruthless approach' should only be against drug traffickers and their approach towards the youth, who have got addicted to drugs, should be of compassion.
He called for intensifying the efforts to achieve "Nasha Mukt Bharat" and achieve better outcomes in the next one year so that the strategy for the next two years could be refined for better effectiveness.
The Home Minister also released the NCB Annual Report 2025 and inaugurated newly constructed NCB zonal offices in Jammu and Guwahati.
"My request is that everyone should carefully read the NCB Annual Report so that, over the coming year, not a single indicator falls below the current level. Instead, every metric should improve significantly and be reflected in the next annual report," he said.
Home Minister Shah also launched the 'Online Drug Disposal Fortnight Campaign', complementing narcotics control and law enforcement agencies for destroying seized drugs worth Rs 12,525 crore in a single day.
Organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the meeting brought together representatives from Central ministries, state governments and drug law enforcement agencies to review and strengthen efforts to combat drug trafficking and drug abuse across the country.
The 'Narcotics Control Vision Document 2026-2029', prepared after extensive consultations with various stakeholders, is expected to serve as a roadmap for tackling the drug menace through coordinated measures, with a focus on demand reduction, supply reduction and rehabilitation.
The Vision Document outlines strategies to address emerging challenges, including the growing threat of synthetic drugs and darknet-based drug trafficking.
It also provides a framework for strengthening awareness campaigns, treatment facilities and rehabilitation services for those affected by substance abuse.
— IANS
Reader Comments
"Ruthless approach" sounds good but hope it doesn't mean harassing innocent youth. The minister himself said compassion for addicts - that's the key. Need rehabilitation centers and awareness in villages too.
Tech-driven approach is exactly what we need! Darknet and synthetic drugs are growing threats. But our police stations still use paper registers. Hope they actually modernize. 🖥️
Impressive that they destroyed seized drugs worth Rs 12,525 crore in a single day. That sends a strong message. But we need to ask - why were those drugs not destroyed earlier? Need faster legal processes.
Good intentions but ground reality is different. In Punjab, drugs are still easily available in many areas. Need to cut supply from across border and also focus on de-addiction centers. Yaar, youth are becoming zombies out there. 😔
"Nasha Mukt Bharat" is a great vision. But let's not forget that unemployment and mental health issues also push youth towards drugs. Need holistic approach - jobs, counseling, plus strict laws. 👏
Hope this vision document actually reaches the village level where awareness is lacking. Many poor families don't even know what's happening to their children until it's too
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