Anti-drug drive off mark: Cong MLA

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, September 19

At a time when CM Capt Amarinder Singh and his ministers are claiming success in the anti-drug drive, Congress MLA Surjit Dhiman today claimed that the supply had not ended in the state yet.

“Though the Punjab Government has taken steps against drugs, it has failed to produce required results. Black sheep in society are creating problems for the government and helping smugglers,” claimed Dhiman after inaugurating a Rs 32-lakh sewerage project at Dirba.

On July 31, 2017, the Amargarh MLA had kicked up a row during a state-level function to mark Shaheed Udham Singh’s martyrdom day, by alleging that his party’s government had failed to curb the supply of narcotics.

“The Punjab Police are mainly targeting small peddlers and addicts. There is a nexus between ASI-rank officers posted in various police stations and drug smugglers. Without the arrest of the big fish, we will not be able to eradicate the menace. The government must take a strict legal action against cops, found helping smugglers.”

He also alleged that big drug smugglers had changed their modus operandi while the police had failed to adopt new techniques to tackle them.

“The smugglers are working through hired agents now. The police must arrest the smugglers rather than patting its back by arresting their agents,” said Dhiman.

About his refusal to accept to Cabinet rank, he said, “When I did not get a place in the ministry, then why should I be the Adviser. I am a ground-level leader and want to work for public welfare,” he said.