Congress MLAs make it loud and clear: No place for drug traders in Punjab

With the newly formed Congress government vowing to weed out drug menace from Punjab, party legislators are employing loudspeakers installed at gurdwaras to requests villagers to shun the illegal trade.

The announcement made on behalf of Khadoor Sahib MLA Ramanjit Sikki goes on to warn those involved in drug trade to leave their business within 24 hours or move to a different state.

The message claims that anyone involved in drug trade, even if he or she happens to be a staunch supporter of the Congress, will not get the backing of any party leader or help from any villager.

“The move is not targeted at anyone out of jealousy, but because we must shun this poison. This message has come from MLA Sikki and we must collectively fight this menace,” states the announcement.

Similar announcements are also being made in the neighbouring Patti assembly segment in Tarn Taran district and some areas of Baba Bakala segment in Amritsar.

Patti MLA Harminder Gill, who at public meetings has been asking villagers to take drug peddlers to police, said: “Announcements are being made at gurdwaras in my assembly segment too. The aim is to make villagers aware of the issue and warn those involved in the trade that there will be zero tolerance on the issue, as announced by chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh. No one involved in drug trade will get any kind of political support or sympathy from people.”

Kuldip Singh, who resides at Rampur Bhootwind village in Baba Bakala, said: “Announcements against drug menace are being made in my village too. It’s a welcome step.”

Curbing drug menace was one of the major poll promises of the Congress ahead of the assembly elections in the state. A day after registering a resounding victory, Captain Amarinder Singh reiterated his commitment to wipe out drugs from Punjab in four weeks after forming the government.

Health minister Brahm Mohindra told HT that the chief minister has formed a high-powered committee led by the director general of police to deal with drug menace. “My department will play an important role in checking supply and sale of synthetic drugs in the state,” he said.