Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that challenges such as the dark web, cryptocurrency, online marketplaces, and drones persist in the country’s fight against drug trafficking, necessitating stringent measures to address them.

While chairing a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security,’ Shah emphasized that India will not permit the smuggling of even a single kilo of drugs across its borders.

He noted that the government has achieved significant success in dismantling numerous drug networks and has also tackled the terrorism associated with them. Instances of narco-terrorism have been disrupted in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, marking considerable victories.

“The challenges presented by the dark web, cryptocurrency, online marketplaces, and drones remain with us today,” he remarked. Shah advocated for technical solutions to be developed through collaborative efforts among state governments, the central government, and technocrats to enhance national security and development.

He added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the fight against drugs has gained new momentum. “In the past decade, drug seizures have increased seven-fold, which is a major accomplishment. The Modi government has sent a strong message by systematically targeting the entire drug ecosystem through strict actions,” he stated.

The Home Minister highlighted that in 2024, drug seizures amounting to ₹16,914 crore represented the most substantial anti-drug action taken by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and police throughout the country, which is a vital step toward achieving a drug-free society. “No nation can progress with a young generation afflicted by drug addiction. It is our collective responsibility to confront this challenge and strive to overcome it,” he asserted.

Shah presented a comparison indicating that during 2004-2014, authorities seized 3.63 lakh kg of drugs, while from 2014-2024, the figure rose to 24 lakh kg, demonstrating a seven-fold increase. Additionally, he reported that while ₹8,150 crore worth of drugs were disposed of between 2004-2014, this figure soared to ₹54,851 crore during 2014-2024, indicating an eight-fold increase in drug destruction.

The NCB organized the conference to tackle the rising issue of drug trafficking and its implications for national security, with a particular emphasis on eight states and Union Territories in northern India. Shah inaugurated a drug disposal fortnight that will run from Saturday to January 25, during which one lakh kg of narcotics valued at ₹8,600 crore is set to be destroyed.

Furthermore, he officially launched the new office complex for the NCB’s Bhopal zonal unit and extended the MANAS-2 helpline to all 36 states and UTs. The conference aims to facilitate real-time information sharing via the National Narcotics Helpline ‘MANAS’ portal with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of states and UTs, assess state progress in drug trafficking combat, and evaluate the efficiency of the Narcotics Coordination Mechanism (NCORD).

Other topics to be discussed include enhancing the capabilities of State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), utilizing the NIDAAN database to strengthen anti-drug trafficking efforts, implementing the provisions of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, establishing special NDPS courts for the swift adjudication of drug-related cases, and promoting a Whole-of-Government approach to effectively combat drug trafficking and abuse.

The Government of India has embraced a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, as stated in an official release. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is pursuing a three-pronged strategy to attain a drug-free India by 2047, which includes bolstering institutional frameworks, improving coordination among narcotics agencies, and launching a public awareness campaign.

The conference is being attended by governors, lieutenant governors, chief ministers, and senior officials from the eight participating states and UTs, as well as representatives from various central ministries, departments, and law enforcement agencies.

BJP president J.P. Nadda on Saturday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi of causing a ₹2,026 crore loss to the public exchequer through intentional lapses in its now-scrapped excise policy.

Nadda, citing a yet-to-be-officially-released CAG report, on social media platform X, labelled the policy as the “AAP’DA model of loot.” He predicted the AAP government’s imminent defeat at the polls and subsequent punishment for its alleged misdeeds.

“Intoxicated by power, high on misgovernance. ‘AAP’DA model of loot is in full display, and that too is on something like liquor,” he said.

Nadda’s statement follows the arrests of then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his then-deputy Manish Sisodia by the Enforcement Directorate on corruption charges related to the excise policy. Both have since been released on bail.

While the content of the CAG report is circulating in some media outlets, the report itself has not been officially made public.

He alleged, “CAG Report on ‘Liquorgate’ exposes @ArvindKejriwal and @AamAadmiParty Gov. Intentional ‘Lapses’ in Policy Implementation. ₹2,026 Cr Loss to Exchequer money.”

Responding to the BJP’s allegations, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh questioned the BJP’s claims, demanding the release of the official CAG report and pointing out the BJP’s previous denials of the report’s existence. The conflicting statements highlight the ongoing political battle surrounding the Delhi excise policy and its financial implications.

Delhi’s 2021-22 Excise Policy, launched in November 2021, sought to overhaul the city’s liquor retail system. Intended to boost state revenue, curb counterfeit alcohol, and improve the consumer experience, the policy faced immediate and intense criticism over alleged irregularities.

This led to its revocation on August 1, 2022. A key feature was the government’s removal from direct liquor retail, aiming for increased vendor numbers, wider brand selection, and a safer shopping environment. A proposed lowering of the drinking age to 18 was ultimately blocked by legislation.

At least 24 labourers are believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed lintel at a railway station in Kannauj, which occurred on Saturday around 2:30 PM.

District authorities involved in the rescue operations reported that 15 workers have been pulled to safety, and two of them are in critical condition. At the time of the incident, approximately 30 to 35 workers were on-site for the construction project. Those rescued have been rushed to a district hospital for treatment.

Active rescue efforts are underway by police and administrative teams. The collapse happened during beautification work at the station.

Aseem Arun, the Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Minister and BJP MLA for the Kannauj (Sadar) constituency, was present at the scene and emphasized that the priority is to save everyone who may be trapped under the debris. He stated, “Our primary responsibility is to rescue anyone who could be under the rubble. We are making every effort to clear the debris. Those who have been rescued and taken to the hospital are reported to be stable and out of danger.” The minister also noted that an investigation will be conducted to uncover the cause of the accident.

In a statement, railway authorities reported that five individuals were injured when the shuttering collapsed during slab casting at Kannauj railway station at 2:39 PM. “The injured were transported to the hospital,” said the railway officials.

Inspector General of Kanpur Range, Jogendra Kumar, confirmed that all rescued laborers are safe and receiving treatment, adding, “No fatalities have been reported as of now.” Senior officials have ordered an investigation into the incident to find out what led to the mishap.