We Will Free Bharat From Drug Menace by Dec 2029: HM Shah
At the National Police Memorial on Police Commemoration Day, the Home Minister honours personnel who died in service and calls for a nationwide campaign against drugs.
- Amit Shah pays tribute to police martyrs in New Delhi
- Drug-free Bharat target set for December 31, 2029
- Nationwide motorcycle rally launched against drug abuse
- Shah highlights progress in key internal security regions
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 21st Oct: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday paid tribute to police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi on Police Commemoration Day. Addressing the ceremony, he called on police forces across the country to intensify efforts against drugs and work towards a drug-free Bharat by December 31, 2029.
Shah also flagged off a nationwide motorcycle rally carrying the message “Fight Against Drugs”. The rally brought together around 90 riders representing several states and Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces and central police organisations. Participants are set to travel to Ekta Nagar in Gujarat for the Ekta Parade-2026.
Addressing the gathering, Shah said India’s standing in the world was built on the sacrifice and dedication of security personnel who protect the country’s borders and maintain internal security. He described police personnel as the first and last line of defence for internal security, highlighting their role during elections, festivals, protests and other critical situations.
Recalling the origins of Police Commemoration Day, Shah said that on October 21, 1959, ten Central Reserve Police Force personnel laid down their lives while resisting an attack by Chinese troops in the Hot Springs region of Ladakh. The day has since been observed annually in their memory.
He noted that the National Police Memorial, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, honours police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice. According to Shah, citizens visit the memorial to pay tribute to 36,852 police personnel whose service and sacrifice are remembered by the nation.
Shah also described 2026 as a landmark year for Indian police forces, stating that the country achieved freedom from Naxalism on March 31. He said more than 3,600 security personnel and nearly 13,700 civilians lost their lives during the decades-long Naxal conflict. He expressed gratitude to the families of those who died, saying their sacrifices had contributed to the country’s progress.
Highlighting the role of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Shah said their contribution was indispensable to safeguarding democracy and ensuring the smooth conduct of democratic processes. He cited the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, which he said were conducted without a single fatality, as an example of security forces’ role in maintaining order.
The Home Minister also said that three longstanding internal security hotspots—Kashmir, the North-East and areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism—had made progress towards peace and development. He credited security forces and other efforts for reducing violence and improving conditions in these regions.
Turning to the drug menace, Shah called on police forces to implement the roadmap for a ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ prepared under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He said drug abuse and trafficking threatened the future of young people, placed pressure on the economy and could provide financial support to organisations with anti-national intentions.
Shah said the Union Home Ministry had set December 31, 2029, as the target to free the country from the drug menace, urging coordinated action by police forces and other agencies over the coming years.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, police and intelligence chiefs, and representatives of Central Armed Police Forces. The nationwide motorcycle rally formed part of the broader campaign to raise awareness about drug abuse and encourage public participation in efforts to combat narcotics.
