Chandigarh, Sep 8 (IANS) BJP leader Amit Malviya on Tuesday criticised the Punjab government over the state’s continuing drug menace, amid fresh political outrage following the death of a Sangrur man who had publicly raised the issue of easy availability of heroin before state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
The incident has once again brought the drug crisis to the centre of the political discourse, with Opposition parties questioning the effectiveness of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government’s much-publicised anti-drug campaign.
Gulzar Singh, a resident of Sangrur district, had allegedly consumed poison after claiming that he faced pressure following his public questioning of Cheema over the prevalence of “chitta” in his village.
His death has triggered a political storm, with the Opposition accusing the government of failing to address the concerns of families affected by drug addiction.
Malviya said the incident exposed the grim reality behind the government’s claims of waging a successful war against drugs in Punjab.
He accused the Mann government of prioritising publicity over tackling the supply and distribution network responsible for pushing narcotics among the youth.
The BJP leader’s attack comes at a time when the Punjab and Haryana High Court has described drug addiction as a “serious challenge” for the state.
The AAP government, however, has maintained that its ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign has led to major action against drug smugglers and the dismantling of drug networks.
The AAP government has also repeatedly accused the Centre of failing to check cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons through drones from Pakistan.
“Gulzar Singh, a resident of Toor Banjara village in the Dirba constituency, reportedly questioned AAP Minister Harpal Singh Cheema during his visit about the unchecked sale of ‘chitta’, saying that his own son was battling addiction and had sold off the family’s belongings,” Malviya wrote on X.
He alleged, “What followed, was pressure and harassment by local AAP-linked village leaders, who demanded that Gulzar Singh apologise for questioning the minister. He refused. In a video recorded before consuming poison, Gulzar Singh held four people responsible for his plight, including Harpal Cheema and local village leaders. He later died despite treatment.”
“This is deeply disturbing. A government that cannot tolerate questions on the drug menace and intimidates a citizen for raising them, has a serious case to answer. Punjab deserves accountability, not intimidation,” claimed Malviya.
Meanwhile, the police have registered a case of abetment to suicide and harassment against a sarpanch and two others relating to the death of the Sangrur man.
Deputy Inspector General (Patiala Range), Kuldeep Singh Chahal, told the media that the body would be handed over to the family after the postmortem.
However, the police have denied allegations of harassment and said they are investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, Punjab Police’s drive against drugs ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ entered the 554th day with 62 drug smugglers arrested on Monday and recovery of 306 grams heroin and 190 intoxicant pills from their possession.
With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached 77,421 in just 554 days. As part of de-addiction drive, Punjab Police have convinced five people to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment, the government said.
–IANS
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