Amit Shah Sets 2029 Deadline for Drug-Free India

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called on India's police forces to collaborate to make the country drug-free by December 31, 2029. Speaking at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi on Police Commemoration Day, Shah stated that narcotics threaten future generations, burden the economy, and fund anti-national organizations. The deadline was established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Ministry of Home Affairs of India will dedicate the remainder of 2026 through 2029 to this coordinated campaign.

To launch the initiative, Shah flagged off a motorcycle rally of 90 riders from 36 states and Union Territories heading to Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, for the National Unity Day parade on October 31. During the ceremony, Shah also announced Project Karmaveer, which will establish 400 Common Service Centres operated by former police and Central Armed Police Force personnel and widows of martyrs.

Shah further declared that India eliminated violent Naxalism by March 31, 2026, ending a period of hardship that began in 1981. He noted that Naxalism resulted in the deaths of over 3,600 security personnel and nearly 13,700 civilians, specifically crediting the Chhattisgarh police and the Central Reserve Police Force for the crackdown. Intelligence Bureau Director Mahesh Dixit reported that 36,852 security personnel have died in the line of duty since Independence.