In the ongoing and often uphill battle against drug addiction and trafficking in Punjab, a remarkable story of grassroots resistance has emerged from Ludhiana district. Setting a powerful precedent for the rest of the state, the residents of Kauri village in Khanna have united to take a definitive stand against the drug mafia. In an unprecedented move, the entire community has pledged to completely withdraw social support for drug peddlers, explicitly refusing to back their bail applications in court.
This community awakening was sparked during an open village-level meeting, locally known as a satth, organized under the ambit of the Punjab Police’s ‘Dehati Daura Yojana’ (Rural Visit Scheme). The initiative, aimed at bridging the gap between law enforcement and local communities, was led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr. Darpan Ahluwalia. During her visit to Kauri, the SSP engaged in an open dialogue with the villagers, emphasizing that the police alone cannot eradicate the deeply entrenched drug syndicates without the active participation of the public.
Moved by the appeal, the village panchayat took immediate and concrete action. The local governing body passed a unanimous, formal resolution declaring a strict social boycott of anyone found guilty of drug trafficking. According to the resolution, no individual, family, or community leader from Kauri will offer any form of recommendation, financial backing, or character witness support for the bail pleas of arrested drug peddlers.
Addressing the gathered crowd, SSP Dr. Ahluwalia praised the community’s courage. “This battle requires active social participation,” she stated. “If villages, panchayats, and the youth stand united, no drug trafficker can survive for long in our society.” She also briefed the residents on various ongoing anti-drug operations, such as “Yudh Nashian Virudh” (War Against Drugs) and “Operation Prahar.” To ensure the safety of whistleblowers, the SSP guaranteed absolute confidentiality for anyone stepping forward with actionable intelligence regarding drug movements or other criminal activities.
The Sarpanch of Kauri village, Jagdeep Kaur, echoed this unwavering sentiment, confirming that the entire village is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the authorities. “We will not allow the future of our children to be destroyed by these peddlers,” she asserted during the meeting. “The panchayat has unanimously resolved that no one caught selling drugs will receive any recommendation for bail from this village. Our ultimate goal is to make Kauri completely drug-free in close coordination with the Khanna Police.”
The ‘Dehati Daura Yojana’ represents a strategic shift in law enforcement, directing senior police officials to conduct regular village visits to foster grassroots dialogue. The initiative is actively rebuilding trust between the police force and the public, proving that when communities take ownership of their safety, the war against drugs can transition from a purely legal battle to a powerful social movement.
