LUDHIANA: Director General of Police of Punjab Suresh Arora has called upon the public to assist the state police in eradicating the menace of drugs from the state, the same way they assisted in eradicating militancy. He stated that the Punjab police force is committed to eradicating the drug menace from the state and assured that several steps were being taken in this regard.Suresh Arora was the chief guest at a drugs awareness programme organised by Police District Khanna at a private resort here on Friday. He said punjab was passing through a phase of change at the moment. He said that during this positive change, a large number of drug addicts are coming forward themselves for shunning drugs. He said that during the days of militancy, public supported the Punjab Police and that is why it was eradicated from the grassroots level. And now if people support the Punjab Police in the same manner to eradicate drugs, day is not far when drug menace would also be wiped out from the state.Arora said that no action would be taken against those who voluntarily come to drug de-addiction centres for shunning drugs and instead. Punjab Police would in fact help them become part of the mainstream. He said that it’s a matter of great pride that with the help of public, anti-drug sentiment was growing in the state. And drug addicts are themselves coming forward to shun drugs. He directed the police officials to ensure that strengthen confidence building measures in the public.While speaking to media persons on the occasion, Arora said that property worth more than Rs 220 crore of drug smugglers arrested by Punjab Police in last 3-4 years has been attached by the government and all this amount goes to the centre government. He said that out of such money, if some due amount is given to the state government, it would help in eradicating drugs from the state, as well as it could help former drug addicts in joining the mainstream. On this occasion, two former drug addicts also addressed the gathering and stated that if one makes up his/her mind to shun drugs, then nothing is difficult.While addressing the gathering, Payal MLA Lakhbir Singh Lakha said that the Punjab government is committed to eradicating drug menace from the state and several steps were being taken. He said that the Punjab government would help all those who voluntarily shun drugs.The function was also addressed by DIG Ludhiana Range Ranbir Singh Khattra, deputy commissioner Pardeep Kumar Agrawal, SSP Khanna Dhruv Dahiya and councillor Ravi. Prominent among those present on the occasion included ADGP (Law and Order) Ishwar Singh, SSP Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Deepak Hilori, SSP Ludhiana (Rural) Varinder Singh Brar, besides several others.

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