Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann slams opposition for drug crisis, inaugurates devp projects in Chamkaur Sahib
Sukhbir Singh Badal
on Monday to stop boasting about his party's purported achievements and instead take responsibility for the barbaric Bargari incident and the deaths of thousands of youth due to drugs during their tenure.
Speaking to the gathering after unveiling several developmental projects in the Chamkaur Sahib assembly segment, the CM criticised Sukhbir for frequently claiming significant development under their rule while remaining silent about the Bargadi incident — when innocent people were shot — and the drug menace that led to the massacre of young generations. Mann highlighted this as a reflection of the prolonged misgovernance of the Akalis.
He accused Sukhbir and his party of prioritising business expansion over the state's welfare, stating that the period from 2007 to 2017 was the darkest in Punjab, marked by the dominance of transport, cable, sand, drug, and other mafias.
Mann, who inaugurated the new sub-divisional hospital and distributed sports kits to budding players at the stadium on Monday, said, "The drug problem escalated after being promoted during the Akali regime.
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We would show no leniency towards the 'jarnails' responsible for the youth genocide through drugs. These leaders not only supported drug trafficking across the state but also supplied drugs using official govt vehicles.
They are now demanding facilities in jail. Those responsible for the deaths of Punjab's youth do not deserve any comforts in incarceration and must face appropriate punishment. Thorough enquiry revealed these leaders amassed significant wealth through the drug trade and that the strictest punishments would be enforced."
Targeting traditional party leaders who supported a former Akali minister currently in Nabha jail on drug charges, the CM expressed shock that Congress leaders, including Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Ravneet Bittu, and BJP leader Capt Amarinder Singh are openly speaking in his favour.
The CM announced that the number of beds in the Chamkaur Sahib hospital have increased from 30 to 50, with its status upgraded from a Community Health Centre to a Sub-Divisional Hospital.
The number of specialist doctors was raised from five to ten, and medical officers (general) increased from two to four. Furthermore, another operation theatre was constructed, and five Aam Aadmi Clinics and 20 Ayushman Arogya Centres have been connected to the hospital.
Mann also inaugurated a STEM mobile bus, which will visit schools to enhance students' understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The bus is equipped with modern facilities to foster children's interest in learning through interactive activities and experiments for students from Class 6 to 12.
BOX: Pb BJP slams Mann for distorting Gurbani hymn
Punjab BJP has condemned
Bhagwant Mann
for allegedly distorting a Gurbani hymn. Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal said that Bhagwant Mann has distorted Gurbani and should seek forgiveness from Guru Sahib and the Sikh community.
Baliawal posted on X in Punjabi: "Maan Saab, you presented Gurbani in a distorted manner at the land of martyrs, Sri Chamkaur Sahib. The actual correct pronunciation of the Gurbani verse you spoke ('karmi aapo aapni ke nerai ke doori' ||) is as such, but you twisted it according to your own interpretation, which is not tolerable. The Sahibaan did not even spare their own children in order to present the Bani in a distorted manner.
For this mistake, @BhagwantMann1 ji, you should seek forgiveness from Guru Sahib and the entire Sikh Sangat, because no one has the right to tamper with the Bani, no matter what worldly position they may hold."
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