New Delhi, October 2026 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday called upon police forces across the country to work collectively towards eliminating narcotics by December 31, 2029, saying drug abuse threatens future generations, places a burden on the economy and finances organisations involved in anti-national activities.
Addressing the Police Commemoration Day ceremony at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi, Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set the December 31, 2029 deadline for eliminating narcotics from the country. He urged police forces to treat the campaign as a major national priority.
Shah said the remaining months of 2026, along with 2027, 2028 and 2029, must be dedicated to a united and sustained fight against drugs. He emphasised that tackling drug abuse was essential to safeguarding the country's youth and protecting India's future.
The Home Minister also paid homage to police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty and presided over the annual commemoration ceremony, which featured a joint parade by the Central Armed Police Forces and Delhi Police.
The annual event honours 10 police personnel who were killed on October 21, 1959, when heavily armed Chinese troops ambushed a police party at Hot Springs in Ladakh. The day is observed to remember police personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice while performing their duties.
Shah Credits Security Forces for Fight Against Naxalism
Highlighting the country's efforts against Left-Wing Extremism, Shah said decades of Naxalism had been brought to an end by March 31, 2026. He credited the Chhattisgarh Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and its specialised CoBRA battalion for their contributions to counter-insurgency operations.
According to Shah, violence associated with Naxalism claimed the lives of more than 3,600 security personnel and approximately 13,700 civilians between 1981 and March 2026.
He specifically praised the CRPF, CoBRA and Chhattisgarh Police for their role in tackling the insurgency, acknowledging the efforts of security personnel deployed in challenging conditions.
Motorcycle Rally Launched for Anti-Drug Campaign
As part of the nationwide drive against narcotics, Shah flagged off a motorcycle rally carrying the message “Fight Against Drugs”. Around 90 police riders representing several states and Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces and other central police organisations are participating in the initiative.
According to an official statement, the rally is part of a broader nationwide campaign under which participants from across India will travel to Ekta Nagar in Gujarat to take part in the Ekta Parade on October 31.
The participating riders represent Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi. Personnel from the CRPF, Central Industrial Security Force, Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and National Security Guard are also taking part.
Other participating organisations include the Railway Protection Force, National Disaster Response Force and National Investigation Agency.
The initiative seeks to reinforce public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and mobilise law enforcement agencies around the national objective of combating narcotics. Shah's appeal to police forces underlined the government's emphasis on coordinated action against drug trafficking and substance abuse, alongside continued efforts to maintain internal security.
