On the Opposition’s allegation that Revenue Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia had links with drug smugglers, the Chief Minister said: “Let the Opposition provide evidence against Majithia. I will act against him too. To raise an accusing figure at Majithia time and again seems a part of the Opposition propaganda against the state government,” he remarked.
CHANDIGARH – Claiming that he would eliminate the drug menace in the state in two years, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said he had prepared a short term and a long-term plan to achieve this objective. “I am determined to go to any length to free Punjab of drugs,” he said.
Speaking to The Tribune, the Chief Minister said his government had gone all out to break the drug supply chain by taking action against those who were part of the distribution network. Drug addicts had been arrested in large numbers. Drug lords, such as Bhola, Gaba and others, had been arrested. A narcotics bureau and a drug de-addiction and rehabilitation board had been set up.
“These institutions will work directly under me. I have picked the best police officers who have been given a free hand to handle the task,” said Badal.
He said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had been asked to tighten vigil at the India-Pakistan border to check smuggling of narcotics from across the border, especially Afghanistan. The Rajasthan Government had been requested to close poppy husk vends.
He said a drive had been launched to break the nexus between drug traffickers and the police. “We have suspended or dismissed some policemen. Those suspected to have links with drug peddlers have been arrested,” said Badal. One minister had been told to resign on moral grounds because his son had been summoned by the Enforce Department in connection with the synthetic drug racket.
On the Opposition’s allegation that Revenue Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia had links with drug smugglers, the Chief Minister said: “Let the Opposition provide evidence against Majithia. I will act against him too. To raise an accusing figure at Majithia time and again seems a part of the Opposition propaganda against the state government,” he remarked.
