Bathinda (Punjab): In a significant step against the drug menace in Punjab, Bathinda Police on Sunday carried out a bulldozer action and demolished the illegal properties of two alleged drug smugglers in the Dhobiana Basti area. The drive targeted the residences of Manjeet Kaur and Jassi, both of whom have multiple cases registered against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Speaking to media, Superintendent of Police (SP) Jasmeet Singh said that the action was part of an ongoing operation to dismantle the economic foundations of drug traffickers.
“The District Administration has identified two houses and requested police assistance to maintain law and order. These houses belong to Manjeet Kaur, who has 10 NDPS cases against her, and Jassi, who also has several NDPS cases pending,” Singh stated.
The police presence was bolstered by the deployment of the Civil Lines Police Station unit and the Reserve Force to ensure the smooth execution of the demolition drive.
Earlier Action in Dhobiana Basti
On June 16, Bathinda Police carried out a similar operation in the same locality, demolishing two illegal properties linked to five NDPS cases. These properties belonged to individuals involved in the sale of heroin, as confirmed by SP Narinder Singh.
“Both properties were declared illegal by the Civil Department. A duty magistrate requested police deployment, and action was taken accordingly,” Singh said during the previous drive.
Statewide Crackdown on Drug Trade
The Bathinda operations are part of a broader statewide crackdown on properties amassed through the drug trade, following orders issued by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav.
On May 22, Amritsar Rural Police demolished illegal constructions on Panchayat land belonging to two jailed smugglers, Jagpreet alias Jagga and Satnam alias Satta. Authorities confirmed that these individuals had illegally built structures on government land without permission, and family members failed to prove their legitimacy despite prior notice.
“Strict action will continue against those who make wealth by ruining the youth of Punjab through drugs,” SSP Amritsar Rural Maninder Singh told media.
Growing Anti-Drug Push
The Punjab Government’s intensifying anti-drug drive has seen a rising number of such demolitions across districts, targeting assets built from illicit drug proceeds. The state leadership has reiterated that economic destruction of drug networks will remain a key tool in the fight against narcotics trafficking.
This latest action underscores Punjab Police’s resolve to crack down hard on narcotics smugglers, both through legal prosecution and by seizing or demolishing illegal wealth and properties linked to the trade.