Gujarats Push for a Drug-Free State: Deputy CM Harsh Sanghvi Reviews Law and Order with Police Officials

Gandhinagar, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi of Gujarat convened a meeting with senior police officials on Saturday to assess the state’s law and order situation. The discussions focused on intensifying efforts against drug abuse and improving public safety.

In a post on the social media platform X, Sanghvi stated, “I met with senior police officials to review law and order and discuss strategies to enhance public safety and security. We emphasized accelerating our fight against drug abuse and advancing our collective commitment to a drug-free Gujarat.”

This meeting followed a high-level review conducted by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 7 in Ahmedabad, where he met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Sanghvi to evaluate the state’s law enforcement and internal security conditions.

During that meeting, Shah addressed several critical issues, including drug trafficking, cybercrime, police modernization, border and coastal security, anti-terrorism measures, illegal immigration, disaster management, and the implementation of new criminal laws. Senior officials from the Union Home Ministry, the state home department, and various security agencies were also present.

Given Gujarat’s proximity to Pakistan and its extensive coastline of approximately 2,340 kilometers, Shah underscored the need for enhanced border and coastal surveillance. He called for better coordination among the Border Security Force (BSF), state police, Coast Guard, and central agencies.

Shah instructed state and central agencies to target not just minor traffickers but the entire smuggling network and its key operators. He also stressed the importance of financial investigations to identify and seize assets gained from illegal trade.

He advocated for a stringent approach to controlling drug use under the national objective of achieving a “drug-free India” by 2029. Shah proposed expanding the “1933” control room and ramping up enforcement campaigns by all relevant agencies, along with launching public awareness initiatives. He praised the state’s performance in filing charge sheets, noting that 92% were filed within 60 days and 86% within 90 days of the cases being registered.

Additionally, he commended the deportation of 2,412 illegal foreign nationals through special campaigns.

Among other directives, Shah called for strengthening the capabilities of the S4C and 1930 cybercrime helpline, empowering anti-terrorism agencies, and expediting the identification and repatriation of illegal foreign nationals. He also emphasized the need to resolve over 25,000 pending forensic cases promptly.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Shah instructed both central and state agencies to work in coordination and regularly review progress towards the established goals. He reaffirmed the commitment to creating a “safe, developed, and drug-free Gujarat” as part of a secure India.