Drug menace next target, says Amit Shah; eyes 2029 deadline
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a new government goal to make India narcotics-free by December 31, 2029. This follows the government's claim of successfully curbing violent Naxalism and establishing peace in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast.
Why it matters
The announcement signals a shift in the Indian government's internal security priorities from insurgency to drug control, impacting national law enforcement strategies.
NEW DELHI: Stating that peace had been established in the country’s three primary hotspots — Jammu & Kashmir, the Northeast region and areas affected by left-wing extremism (LWE) — Union home minister Amit Shah Wednesday said the home ministry is now focused on the drug menace and aims to make the country narcotics-free by Dec 31, 2029. Addressing an event in the national capital to mark Police Commemoration Day, Shah said 2026 had been an extremely significant year for the Indian police, as they successfully freed the country from the decades-old stranglehold of violent Naxalism.Stating that an environment conducive to development has emerged in Kashmir, Northeast and LWE-hit regions, Shah particularly thanked CRPF and its CoBRA battalion as well as Chhattisgarh Police for their role in the decisive fight against LWE.The home ministry will dedicate the remaining part of 2026 and three years after that to freeing the country from…
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