Drug menace next target, says Union home minister Amit Shah; eyes 2029 deadline

NEW DELHI: Stating that peace had been established in the country’s three primary hotspots — Jammu & Kashmir, the Northeast region and areas affected by left-wing extremism (LWE) — Union home minister Amit Shah Wednesday said the home ministry is now focused on the drug menace and aims to make the country narcotics-free by Dec 31, 2029. Addressing an event in the national capital to mark Police Commemoration Day, Shah said 2026 had been an extremely significant year for the Indian police, as they successfully freed the country from the decades-old stranglehold of violent Naxalism.

Stating that an environment conducive to development has emerged in Kashmir, Northeast and LWE-hit regions, Shah particularly thanked CRPF and its Co BRA battalion as well as Chhattisgarh Police for their role in the decisive fight against LWE. The home ministry will dedicate the remaining part of 2026 and three years after that to freeing the country from the drug menace, Shah said and called upon police forces across the country to wholeheartedly participate in the implementation of the ‘nasha-mukt Bharat’ roadmap.

The home minister also flagged off a nationwide motorcycle rally with the theme ‘fight against drugs’. Five riders each from 36 states/Union territories and 9 CAPFs are taking part in this rally and will reach Kevadia, Gujarat, from different parts of the country, to join the Ekta Diwas parade on Oct 31.

On the occasion of Police Commemoration Day, Shah placed a wreath at National Police Memorial to honour the 36,852 personnel who laid down their lives so far in the line of duty.7,000 from LWE-hit districts to attend Ekta Diwas parade The end of armed Naxalism within the March 31, 2026 deadline set by Union home minister Amit Shah as well 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’ will be celebrated at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade and Bharat Parv at Kevadia, Gujarat, this year to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary on Oct 31. Around 7,000 people from 126 districts who were under the scourge of left-wing extremism will participate both as performers and spectators in the event to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In addition, around 5,000 local people from these 126 districts across the country have been invited.“Their participation will underline the resilience of communities that have endured conflict and highlight the role of cultural expression in strengthening national integration,” Union home secretary Govind Mohan said. The parade will also feature march-past by contingents of all the CAPFs and state police personnel who fought against LWE violence.

Key quotes

• “Their participation will underline the resilience of communities that have endured conflict and highlight the role of cultural expression in strengthening national integration,”