After terrorism and decades of armed Naxalism, the Centre is turning its attention to India's drug menace, with Union home minister Amit Shah setting December 31, 2029, as the target date to make the country narcotics-free. Addressing an event in New Delhi on Wednesday to mark Police Commemoration Day, Shah said peace had been established in three major conflict-hit regions, Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast and areas affected by left-wing extremism (LWE). He said the government would now focus on tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse, calling on police forces across the country to participate in the implementation of the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' roadmap.
Shah also described 2026 as a significant year for Indian police forces, saying they had brought an end to the decades-old threat of violent Naxalism.
Amit Shah sets December 31, 2029, deadline for a drug-free India
The home minister said the remaining part of 2026 and the following three years would be dedicated to freeing India from the drug menace.
He urged police forces nationwide to take an active role in implementing the government's anti-drug roadmap, signalling that tackling narcotics would be a major priority for the Union home ministry after its focus on terrorism and left-wing extremism.
Shah also flagged off a nationwide motorcycle rally carrying the message of a 'fight against drugs'. Five riders each from 36 states and Union territories, along with nine Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), are taking part in the rally.
The riders will travel from different parts of the country to Kevadia in Gujarat, where they will join the Ekta Diwas parade on October 31.
Amit Shah credits CRPF, CoBRA and Chhattisgarh Police in fight against Naxalism
Shah said an environment conducive to development had emerged in Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast and LWE-affected areas following efforts to tackle violence and restore peace.
He particularly thanked the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Chhattisgarh Police for their role in the fight against left-wing extremism.
The Centre had set March 31, 2026, as the deadline to end armed Naxalism. The government plans to mark the end of armed Naxalism alongside the 150th anniversary of 'Vande Mataram' at this year's Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations.
7,000 people from Naxal-affected districts to attend Ekta Diwas parade
Around 7,000 people from 126 districts previously affected by left-wing extremism will participate in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade and Bharat Parv in Kevadia, Gujarat, on October 31. They will attend as performers and spectators at the event, which will also be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Around 5,000 additional local residents from these districts have also 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-pasts by contingents of the CAPFs and state police forces that fought against LWE-related violence.
Police Commemoration Day honours 36,852 personnel
On Police Commemoration Day, Shah laid a wreath at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi to honour the 36,852 police personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The annual observance pays tribute to police personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the country and maintaining law and order.
Amit Shah on Punjab's drug crisis
Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said he was deeply distressed after meeting the families of three people whose deaths were linked, allegedly, to Punjab's drug problem. He said the situation on the ground was "far more disturbing" than what he had learnt from reports in New Delhi and pledged to eliminate the drug trade in Punjab by December 31, 2029.
Shah began his visit in Gurdaspur, where he met the family of 40-year-old Bikramjit Singh, whose death was allegedly linked to drugs. He later travelled to Sangrur to meet Gulzar Singh's family and then visited Mansa to meet the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was killed last week.
Shah said people affected by the 'chitta' trade had also gathered at the homes he visited to share their experiences. Speaking in Ludhiana, he said that despite three decades in public life and meeting families affected by several tragedies as Union home minister, he had never felt so sad.
"The situation in Punjab, as described by them, was far more disturbing than what I had read in reports in Delhi," Shah said.
He also criticised the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing the Bhagwant Mann-led government of failing to fulfil its promise to eradicate drugs within three months of coming to power.
Inputs from agencies