Police-peddler nexus intact: Addicts

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, July 20

Addicts from various districts undergoing treatment at the Sangrur Red Cross de-addiction centre during a meeting with Dr Nirmaljit Singh Kalsi, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Home Affairs & Justice, on Thursday alleged that police-peddler nexus was still intact.

They alleged that the police had failed to take effective steps against drug smugglers and started harassing addicts if they shared any information with them.

“Habit-forming tablets and other intoxicants are easily available as the police have failed to take required steps,” an addict told Kalsi during the meeting. Kalsi and other senior officers listened to their grievances for around 50 minutes. He also had one-on-one interaction with the addicts.

Smuggling of liquor from Haryana to Punjab was also highlighted by addicts in front of Kalsi. Another addict alleged that the police were well aware about peddlers, adding that the state government needed to focus on the working of the police.

“The government has been taking special initiatives for the de-addiction and rehabilitation of addicts across the state. De-addicts must spread awareness against drugs and they will get all support,” said Kalsi.

He took detailed feedback from all addicts, while Sangrur DC Ghanshayam Thori, ADC Rajdeep Singh Brar, SDM Avikesh Gupta and Assistant Commissioner Deepjot Kaur accompanied the ACS during his visit to the centre.