Punjab CM questions Centre’s failure to stop drug trafficking, demands stronger NDPS laws and effective border security measures

Chandigarh, 20 October (H.S.): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing them of exploiting Punjab’s drug crisis and the grief of affected families for political gains.

Addressing the media, Mann questioned the Centre’s failure to curb drug trafficking and asked why the BJP had not taken effective action when it shared power with the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.

The Chief Minister said drug trafficking had become a serious problem during that period, yet the BJP failed to take decisive steps. He also questioned why a CBI investigation against former minister Bikram Singh Majithia had not been ordered despite repeated demands.

Mann further challenged the Union Home Minister over narcotics entering India through international borders and ports. He referred to major drug seizures in Gujarat and questioned reports concerning 2,200 kilograms of heroin allegedly being explained away as consumed by rats.

Highlighting border security concerns, Mann said he had repeatedly requested the installation of anti-drone systems along Punjab’s 532-kilometre border with Pakistan. He urged the Centre to strengthen surveillance and prevent cross-border smuggling.

The Chief Minister also criticised the BJP over law-and-order conditions in Haryana and Rajasthan, alleging that gangster networks operating from these states were linked to serious criminal incidents.

Referring to Amit Shah’s visit to the family of murdered anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, Mann urged the Home Minister to express genuine sympathy rather than politicise the tragedy.

He reiterated that the Punjab Government stood firmly with Jhota’s family and had already recommended a CBI investigation into the murder.

Mann also recalled the farmers’ agitation against the three central farm laws, questioning why senior BJP leaders had not visited the families of farmers who died during the protests.

Reaffirming his government's commitment to eliminating drugs, Mann said the ongoing Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign would be intensified. He claimed that thousands of drug traffickers had been arrested and their properties seized.

The Chief Minister urged the Union Government to strengthen the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act to ensure stricter action against traffickers.

He maintained that Punjab would continue its fight against drugs while demanding greater accountability from the Centre.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH