New Delhi, 21 September (H.S.):

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday stepped up its attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the issue of drug abuse, alleging that the situation in the state has reached a point where people who complain about the illegal drug trade are themselves facing action. The BJP said it has been consistently raising its voice for making Punjab drug-free and announced that, under the leadership of party president Nitin Nabin, the ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ will pass through all 117 Assembly constituencies in the state.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia raised the issue of Jaggi Singh and said that he had lodged a complaint regarding the drug trade in Punjab. Bhatia questioned why action was taken against the person who had complained about the illegal drug trade. He alleged that instead of taking effective action on the complaint, Jaggi Singh was allegedly subjected to misbehaviour and assault.

Bhatia also questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, saying that the responsibility of the Chief Minister is to maintain law and order and ensure justice for people who approach the authorities with complaints. He alleged that in Punjab, those raising their voices against drugs are themselves facing action, while effective measures are not being taken against the illegal narcotics trade.

The BJP leader said that the youth of Punjab want employment opportunities and that his party is committed to creating such opportunities. He said the BJP's resolve is to rid Punjab of narcotics.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar