8 drug addicts escape from Govt de-addiction centre in Punjab's Sangrur
The policeman, identified as Malkeet Singh, was injured and is undergoing treatment at a hospital. 'I was attacked on the neck, and they tried to strangulate me, due to which I became unconscious. Many inmates tried to flee, but the staff managed to control some. A few still managed to escape,' he told reporters on Wednesday.
Sartaj Singh Chahal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Sangrur, said, 'Follow-up is being done by the administration with the officials at the de-addiction centre. They were addicts, not criminals. Hence, it needs to be dealt with sensitivity.'
SSP Chahal told The Indian Express, 'Several people come for rehabilitation. Some are a bit mischievous. That is what rehabilitation is for. It is essential to see the daily practical efforts at the ground level. The war against drugs is made up of daily battles, some obvious, some unobtrusive.'
Most of the inmates were previously arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, but were sent to the rehabilitation centre as they were drug addicts, revealed sources.
A similar incident was reported at the facility in January last year, where nine addicts escaped under almost identical circumstances — attacking the staff with steel plates during dinner.
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Hindustan Times
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an hour ago
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