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Time of India
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Dope test challenge sets off war of words in Dharamkot amid Punjab's anti-drug campaign
1 2 Bathinda: Amid the Punjab government's ongoing anti-drug campaign, 'Yudh Nashia Virudh', a heated social media exchange erupted between Iqbal Singh, brother of former Congress MLA from Dharamkot Sukhjit Singh Lohgarh, and AAP MLA Devinderjit Singh Ladi Dhos, over the campaign's execution and impact. In a social media post, Iqbal Singh challenged Ladi Dhos to urge the chief minister and health minister to establish a high-powered committee tasked with conducting dope tests on the MLA and the coordinators of the 'Yudh Nashia Virudh' campaign in Dharamkot. Singh asserted that the findings of such a committee would be fully accepted by them, and if the results validated the campaign, they would acknowledge its authenticity. Responding to the challenge, Ladi Dhos announced via social media that he would visit Lohgarh village, which is home of the former Congress MLA, in the Dharamkot assembly constituency, Moga district, on Sunday. He invited Iqbal Singh to bring a team of doctors of his choice to ensure transparency and eliminate any doubts regarding the dope test results. As announced, the MLA reached Lohgarh village gurdwara on Sunday for his dope test, but no one was there from the other side. MLA Ladi Dhos then made various allegations against the former MLA and his brother of sand mining and selling posts of sarpanches during his tenure. The MLA said, "I went for the dope test and waited for over two hours for others to come, but nobody reached to conduct the test as I asked them to come with a team of doctors for the test. It seems they only wanted to attract attention by putting up a fake challenge." Iqbal Singh countered the allegations, stating that only one and a half years are left in the completion of the tenure, and people will tell who did what in their respective tenures. As for coming to Lohgarh village with a team of doctors, we do not believe in personal fights. We asked him to get the dope test of the MLA and all coordinators done by a high-powered committee formed by the state govt. Earlier, during the previous Congress govt, a war of words had ensued between then SAD president and Jalalabad MLA Sukhbir Singh Badal and the then Zira Congress MLA Kulbir Singh Zira over the issue of drugs. Kulbir Singh Zira had challenged Sukhbir Badal to get dope tests conducted at Thatha Kishan Singh village in Zira on Jan 29, 2019, when Sukhbir was to visit the village. Kulbir Zira made the health authorities set up a counter for conducting a dope test at Thatha Kishan Singh village. Zira got his test conducted, which was negative, but Sukhbir questioned the authority of Zira in asking for the test. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Time of India
Dope tests soar amid rising arrests, rehab escapes in Punjab
Bathinda: Punjab's 'Yudh Nashia Virudh' anti-drug campaign has increased the frequency of dope tests on suspected addicts and those seeking immunity from prosecution through treatment. As police intensify their crackdown on drug users and peddlers, a major rise in arrests and dope tests at civil hospitals across the state has been reported. The heightened enforcement has led many users to volunteer for de-addiction or rehabilitation, hoping to secure immunity from prosecution under Section 64A of NDPS Act. This provision offers a path to avoid legal action for those charged with consuming small quantities of drugs, provided they undergo complete treatment. Police crime data indicates a rise in cases involving the possession of small or micro quantities of drugs, often for self-consumption. Following the state govt's push for results, even individuals with minimal drug quantities are being targeted. Tips and complaints lead to suspected persons being taken for dope tests at govt facilities. A positive result often leads to custody under Section 27 (consumption) or Section 27A (financing illicit traffic, harbouring offenders) of NDPS Act. Under a special provision from the Union ministry of finance, addicts volunteering for treatment can receive immunity from prosecution. However, this immunity can be withdrawn if treatment is not completed. Sources suggest that many opting for immunity do not complete their full course of treatment, often obtaining alternative medications from rehab centres. Recent reports from Bathinda show three cases registered under Section 27, with four accused taken into custody after positive dope test results. Similar arrests are occurring daily across various districts. In the past two months, Bathinda police have registered 70 cases under Section 27 of NDPS Act, leading to 85 addicts being admitted to rehab centres under Section 64A. Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Instances of addicts attempting to flee rehabilitation centers have been observed. On June 21, 18 drug addicts escaped from the de-addiction centre at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot; seven were later apprehended. Eight of the escapees had existing NDPS Act cases. Similar incidents occurred in Phagwara on June 12, where four addicts fled the civil hospital's de-addiction center, though three initial escapees were caught. In Gurdaspur, five drug addicts absconded from a de-addiction center within nine days in June. BOX Fleeing de-addiction centres June | Five drug addicts absconded from a de-addiction centre within nine days June 12 | Four drug addicts fled the civil hospital's de-addiction center, though three initial escapees were caught June 21 | A total of 18 drug addicts escaped from a de-addiction centre at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot; seven were later apprehended. Eight of the escapees had existing NDPS Act cases. Bathinda police have registered 70 cases under Section 27 of NDPS Act, leading to 85 addicts being admitted to rehab centres under Section 64A. MSID:: 122182723 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
In Punjab, Moga village leads anti-drug campaign with cash incentives, healthy lifestyle initiatives
1 2 Bathinda: In a parallel effort to the campaign against the drug abuse by the Punjab govt – Yudh Nashia Virudh, Ransih Kalan village in Moga district has been running its own anti-drug crusade for nearly two months, titled 'Nasha Mukti da Abhiyan, Ransih Kalan Banu Punjab di Shan'. The aim is to sensitise all 452 families in the village, steering them away from any kind of intoxicants, ensuring no family member is involved with drugs. To achieve this, the village panchayat has introduced cash incentives and maintains vigilance to prevent the sale of intoxicants. The initiative is the brainchild of 34-year-old village sarpanch Preetinder Pal Singh, commonly known as Mintu Sarpanch. The panchayat announced a one-time cash incentive of Rs 11,000 for families that become drug-free and Rs 1,100 incentive as a healthy diet allowance for those overcoming addiction, in addition to providing free de-addiction treatment facilities. Nearly 29 families declared themselves drug-free and received cash incentives, with 13 making the declaration on Saturday. Additionally, 23 individuals are undergoing treatment. The 281 families from the village have been free from any kind of drugs or liquor for a long time. "We have ensured that no liquor vend is opened in the current financial year from April onwards. Chemists have been strictly instructed not to sell any kind of prohibited medicines, and general stores have been instructed not to sell cigarettes, tobacco, or energy drinks," Preetinder Pal told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Campana (ver precio) Verisure Undo He mentioned that 16 families in the village became drug-free in May, and 13 more had come forward now, receiving cash incentives from Moga deputy commissioner Sagar Seta and Nihal Singh Wala SDM Swati Tiwana. "With the efforts of the village panchayat, we are optimistic that the entire village will be drug-free soon," said village resident Kuldeep Singh. Previously, many other initiatives were undertaken in the village, including setting up a water treatment plant, moving towards becoming a plastic-free village by offering various incentives for waste plastic, providing cash incentives to farmers for not burning crop residue, and promoting Punjab's culture by opening a library. MSID:: 121693498 413 |
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Police stop protesting farmers from heading towards Faridkot
Bathinda: Activists from the farmer forums Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) clashed with police on their way to a venue where Punjab assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and ministers Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, Laljit Singh Bhullar, and Baljit Kaur were in attendence. The farmers, under a joint call from both forums, assembled in various districts to deliver memorandums seeking compensation for damage to wheat crops due to fires and untimely rains, as well as for items that went missing from protest sites at Shambhu and Khanauri on March 19. The activists gathered in Faridkot while the speaker and ministers were in town for a programme under the 'Yudh Nashia Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign. The activists aimed to reach the venue to deliver their memorandum but were stopped at a distance. When the farmers attempted to proceed, the police used force to stop them and detained several activists. In the ensuing chaos, some farmers opposed the use of force. Activists claimed that the previous Punjab govt betrayed them by arresting farm leaders after a meeting with central and Punjab ministers and dismantling the morchas on March 19. They argued that farmers suffered due to fires in the fields and untimely rains. The activists added that despite the 'Yudh Nashia Virudh' campaign by the govt, drugs remain available in hotspot areas across districts. Meanwhile, the assembly Speaker and the ministers resolved to eradicate drug abuse and claimed that the campaign is yielding desired results. MSID:: 120822691 413 |
