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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
Punjab village 'for sale' over drug menace
CHANDIGARH: Following the brutal attack by alleged drug peddlers on an ex-serviceman on Sunday in Bakhtaur village in Bathinda district of Punjab has prompted villagers to put up a sign declaring, "Our Village is for Sale." Lakhbir Singh, a farmer from Bhai Bakhtaur village in Bathinda district on Sunday posted a hand-written banner at the village entrance which read `` Our Village is For Sale '' (Saada pind vikau hai). This step was taken after a day after ex-serviceman Ranbir Singh was allegedly brutally thrashed by two men, Kuldeep Singh and Gurpreet Singh involved in drug cases. Lakhbir also posted a video denouncing the attack and accusing the police of failing to protect villagers from drug violence. According to Bathinda SP Amneet Kondal, Singh had reportedly been urging youths to leave drugs and play sports. This message appears to have triggered local drug peddlers. Singh is presently admitted in a hospital at Bathinda. Police have arrested both accused and booked them on charges of attempted murder, unlawful restraint, and causing grievous hurt, he added Vineet Joshi, media head of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab, alleged that on June 1, three people died of drug overdoses in different villages across the state—Deharka (Ludhiana district), Rodikpura (Faridkot district), and Senia (Fazilka district). Meanwhile, in Bakhtaur village in Bathinda, frustrated residents put up a sign reading, "Our Village is for Sale", in a desperate protest against the unchecked drug menace. 'This reflects the grim reality behind the so-called 'War Against Drugs' and exposes the failure of the AAP government's May 31 deadline to make Punjab drug-free. The message 'Sadda Pind Bikau Hai' is not a political slogan—it's a cry of anguish from a village gripped by fear and helplessness. Today, shopkeepers, labourers, and even women in rural Punjab feel unsafe. While farmers and protesters are swiftly arrested—sometimes along with their mothers and sisters—drug traffickers continue to roam free, even with multiple cases pending against them,' Joshi said. Punjab's situation is now worse than Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. villagers live in fear of "Chitta" (heroin) smugglers, who openly threaten them. We are not political workers, nor affiliated with any party, but things have gone too far now," said a youth in a viral video, where he praised UP CM Yogi Adityanath for his crackdown on criminals.
India Gazette
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
AAP appoints former Timarpur MLA Dillip Pandey as its overseas cordinator
New Delhi [India], May 22 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) appointed Former Timarpur MLA Dilip Pandey as the party's Overseas Coordinator. The main Opposition party in Delhi had on Wednesday released a list of new office bearers. Jitender Singh Tomar was appointed as Madhya Pradesh's Prabhari. Rajesh Gupta, Rituraj Govind and Mahendra Yadav were appointed as Prabhari of Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, respectively. Dheeraj Tokas has been made the Prabhari of Rajasthan. Prakash Jarwal was appointed as the Prabhari of Maharashtra. Ghanendra Bhardwaj and Vijay Phulara were appointed as Sah Prabhari of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, respectively. Four leaders were appointed as the Sah Prabhari of Uttar Pradesh: Dilip Pandey, Vishesh Ravi, Anil Jha and Ch. Surendra Kumar. On Friday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal announced a 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' amid the ongoing 'War Against Drugs' in Punjab, which has been initiated by the administration to eliminate drug abuse in the state. He will be accompanied by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in this endeavour to curb drug abuse in Punjab. He said that the 'Nasha Multi Yatra' would reach each village and ward in Punjab to strengthen people's resolve against drug abuse and the selling of drugs. It would also focus on convincing people to provide treatment to drug addicts to ensure their well-being. 'From today, the Nasha Mukti Yatra is starting in Punjab. This Yatra will go to every village and every ward of Punjab. Through this Yatra, people will now be connected with the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan. In every village and every ward, people will take an oath that they will not consume drugs themselves, will not let anyone sell drugs in their area and will get the drug addicts treated and get them out of addiction,' Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi, posted on X. He stated that the Punjab government has made arrangements for the treatment of drug addicts. 'The Punjab government has made arrangements on a large scale for the treatment of drug addicts. Three crore members of the Punjab family will now ensure that they eliminate drug addiction from Punjab,' Kejriwal said. 'In the last two and a half months, Punjab Police and Punjab Government have started a war against drugs. For the first time, action is being taken against drug smugglers on such a large scale,' he added. (ANI)
India Gazette
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"People will answer this dictatorship": Kejriwal after ED detains Gujarat Samachar co-founder
New Delhi [India], May 16 (ANI): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday condemned the detention of co-owner of Gujarat Samachar Bahubali Shah following the raids by Income Tax (IT) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the leading daily, which he said was not a coincidence since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 'wants to silence' every questioning voice. Further, he said that Gujarat would soon give an answer to this 'dictatorship.' He further said that Shah's 'detention' came 48 hours after raids were carried out on Gujarat Samachar and GSTV. Kejriwal added that it was a sign of the BJP's frustration. 'The raids by IT and ED on Gujarat Samachar and GSTV in the last 48 hours, and then the arrest of their owner, Bahubali Bhai Shah - all this is not a coincidence. This is a sign of the frustration of the BJP, which wants to silence every voice that speaks the truth and asks questions. The people of the country and Gujarat will answer this dictatorship very soon,' Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi, posted on X. Earlier, Kejriwal announced a 'Nasha Mukti Yatra' amid the ongoing 'War Against Drugs' in Punjab, which has been initiated by the administration to eliminate drug abuse in the state. He said that the 'Nasha Multi Yatra' would reach each village and ward in Punjab to strengthen people's resolve against drug abuse and the selling of drugs. It would also focus on convincing people to provide treatment to drug addicts to ensure their well-being. 'From today, the Nasha Mukti Yatra is starting in Punjab. This Yatra will go to every village and every ward of Punjab. Through this Yatra, people will now be connected with the Nasha Mukti Abhiyan. In every village and every ward, people will take an oath that they will not consume drugs themselves, will not let anyone sell drugs in their area and will get the drug addicts treated and get them out of addiction,' Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi, posted on X. He stated that the Punjab government has made arrangements for the treatment of drug addicts. (ANI)
Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
AAP's soldier in war against drugs: Convicted under NDPS, anti-drug coordinator now
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is facing serious questions over its recently announced appointments for the anti-drug campaign at the constituency level. One such appointment, Gurpreet Singh, a resident of village Bariali in Mohali, has sparked controversy due to his criminal record under the NDPS Act. As part of its ongoing 'War Against Drugs' campaign, AAP appointed Gurpreet Singh as Mohali Vidhan Sabha coordinator. However, official records reveal that an FIR, dated November 4, 2006, was registered against him under Section 15 of the NDPS Act at Kurali Police Station. He was convicted by the Special Judge, Ropar, on October 19, 2009, and sentenced to two years in prison along with a fine of Rs 5,000. The revelation has thrown the party's appointment process into question. On this issue when The Indian Express talked with AAP Mohali president Prabhjot Kaur, he said that he had heard such a thing and tried to verify it on his own, but could not find any 'solid proof'. 'I informed our higher leadership also. Gurpreet Singh holds no previous official position in the party and I am unaware of who recommended his name. I have nothing more to say on this issue,' Kaur said. While speaking with The Indian Express, Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh said after hearing about the drug-related case against Gurpreet, he immediately recommended the party to appoint another suitable worker in his place. In his defence, Gurpreet Singh told The Indian Express that he is innocent and has already filed an appeal against his conviction in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Mint
21-04-2025
- Health
- Mint
Punjab's war against drugs: Energy drinks banned in schools to tackle addiction
In a decisive move to protect students and combat addiction, Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Monday announced a complete ban on energy drinks in schools across the state, reported India Today. The measure is part of the Bhagwant Mann-led government's broader campaign to fight drug abuse and promote healthy living among the youth. Speaking at a press conference in Mansa, he emphasised that the consumption of energy drinks among school children can be an early gateway to addictive behaviour, and this ban is a preventive step to safeguard their future. The minister warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found supplying energy drinks to children in educational institutions. He reiterated the government's unwavering resolve in its 'War Against Drugs' initiative, which has seen intensified efforts to eliminate drug trafficking and addiction in Punjab. 'Drug peddlers will not be spared. The administration and police are working together to catch drug smugglers,' Balbir Singh declared. The announcement comes in the wake of the Mann government's aggressive steps to counter the drug menace in Punjab. In March, the state constituted a five-member committee of cabinet ministers to monitor the ongoing crackdown. Police have been directed to identify drug hotspots, dismantle supply chains, and take stringent action against traffickers. Singh also mentioned that properties belonging to drug traffickers will be seized and demolished as part of the state's zero-tolerance approach. In addition to measures against drug abuse, the minister spoke about the government's focus on food safety. He said efforts are being made to ensure the availability of pure milk, paneer, sweets, and other commonly consumed food items. 'Those who provide quality food will be honoured, while those selling adulterated items will face strict punishment,' Balbir Singh said. The combined focus on school safety, anti-drug enforcement, and food quality reflects the Punjab government's intent to tackle health threats on multiple fronts. The ban on energy drinks in schools marks a new addition to these efforts and underscores the government's concern about the long-term impact of addictive substances on young students. First Published: 21 Apr 2025, 08:42 PM IST
