Faridkot in Punjab has emerged as one of the leading districts in the state’s intensified anti-drug campaign under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, recording a sharp 37% decline in overall crime and an impressive 97% recovery rate in snatching cases, according to official data reviewed by The Indian Express.

The gains are being attributed to the state government’s flagship drives — ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ (war against drugs) and ‘Operation Prahar’ — which combine targeted enforcement with grassroots intelligence and technology-backed surveillance.

Officials said the district’s turnaround reflects a calibrated shift from reactive policing to preventive enforcement. Regular coordination between police units, Village Defence Committees (VDCs), and civil society groups has strengthened local intelligence networks, enabling quicker identification of drug supply chains and repeat offenders.

Senior Superintendent of Police Pragya Jain, who is overseeing the campaign, said public trust has played a decisive role in the crackdown. “Informer identities are strictly protected, and action is taken swiftly. This has encouraged citizens across age groups to come forward with actionable inputs,” she said.

Police data indicates that actionable tip-offs from residents have increased in recent months, leading to higher detection rates and pre-emptive arrests. This aligns with the Punjab government’s broader strategy of decentralising intelligence gathering and integrating community participation into law enforcement.

Technology has further amplified these efforts. A network of CCTV cameras installed across vulnerable and high-traffic zones has enhanced surveillance capabilities. In Dhilwan Kalan village, near-total camera coverage of link roads and adjoining highways has enabled real-time monitoring by both local authorities and police units, significantly reducing response time.

Local functionaries, including village representatives and campaign coordinators, said the surveillance system has helped detect suspicious movement linked to drug trafficking, allowing intervention before criminal activity escalates.

Civil society organisations have also reported a perceptible shift. Representatives from local groups noted that sustained enforcement has disrupted established drug distribution networks, while visible policing has acted as a deterrent.

Beyond enforcement, the administration has expanded its focus to preventive and rehabilitative measures. Awareness campaigns, coordination with educational institutions, and community-led initiatives — including environmental drives — are being used to build long-term resistance against drug abuse, officials said.

Punjab has historically grappled with drug-related challenges, with multiple governments launching enforcement drives over the past decade. However, officials claim the current model’s emphasis on community intelligence, surveillance integration, and accountability at the district level is yielding more measurable outcomes.

With crime indicators showing consistent improvement, Faridkot is increasingly being positioned by the state administration as a model district — one that demonstrates how coordinated policing, public participation, and technology can collectively weaken entrenched drug networks and restore confidence in law enforcement.