Chemists protest crackdown on medical stores in city

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 22

Chemists today observed a strike in protest against the raids conducted at the medical shops by the Health Department and civil administration under the fight against drugs started by the Punjab government.

The chemists closed their shops in the morning and staged protest at Mall Road in the city.

A delegation of members of the Bathinda District Chemists Association, headed by its president Jasbir Singh, met SSP Swapan Sharma.

They assured the senior police official that they would not sell any illegal drug and would not support anyone indulging in such activities.

The members also held a meeting with SDM Sakshi Sahawney. Thereafter, they met Deputy Commissioner Diprava Lakra.

They said they were not against the checking of the shops but the Health Department conducting raids along with police officials had disappointed them.

Jasvir Singh said the Deputy Commissioner was satisfied with their issue and assured the delegation that nobody would be harassed but if anyone sold drugs or medicines without licence then strict action would be taken against him.

Nand Lal Kansal said their association was also against the persons who sold drugs. After 12.30 pm, chemists opened their shops.

In an attempt to tighten the noose around the illegal sale of drugs, as promised by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh in the first cabinet meeting, many medicine stores across the city were raided late last evening.

Association member Ashok Balliawali said, “We are against drugs but harassing chemists in the name of fight against drugs is wrong.”

Drug inspector Shishan Mittal said the district administration had constituted three teams for raids at medical stores in the city.

The teams raided seven shops and found more than 100 medicines without bills. Action will be taken in this regard.