Kalia corners Cong govt on drugs, illegal mining in state

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 1

Former Minister Manoranjan Kalia attended a meeting of BJP leaders in Ludhiana on Sunday. He said the Congress government of Captain Amarinder Singh had failed miserably in tackling drug menace and illegal mining during its 15-month rule in the state.

He said 23 deaths allegedly occurred due to drugs in June 2018 and involvement of police officials in drug trade showed the depth of drug menace in Punjab.

He said there was 20 per cent increase of ‘Chitta’ in Punjab in 2017 in comparison to the previous year as per the study of AIIMS.

He said there had been more than 900 accused in drug cases in the past six months i.e. from January to June 2018 under the NDPS Act. Since, the Home Department was with the Chief Minister, he was answerable.

He alleged that there was rampant illegal mining in the state and it had been going on unabated, causing ecological and fiscal damage to Punjab.

Bikramjit Singh Cheema, Ranjeet Singh Heera and other BJP leaders were among those present in the meeting.

He also attended a meeting at Mandal level and district level in Fatehgarh Sahib Constituency.

Protest against drug abuse

Members of the Hindu Sikh Jagriti Sena staged a protest against drug menace in the state. They also sought strict action against drug peddlers. The protest march started from Clock Tower and ended at Jagron Bridge. They demanded the police to take necessary steps.

Parveen Dang, president of the Hindu Sikh Jagriti Sena, said: “The youths are dying due to drugs in various parts of the state. People should come forward against drug abuse.”

“People must inform the police if they come to know about drug peddling in their area. I also appeal the police authorities to take strict action against drug peddlers,” he said.