Khaira meets kin of youth who died of ‘drug overdose’

Tribune News Service

Kotkapura, June 27

Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira met family members of Balwinder Kumar, who had allegedly died of drugs overdose last week, at Jeewan Nagar in Kotkapura on Wednesday.

Khaira alleged that the Capt Amarinder Singh-led state government had failed to check the drugs menace.

“Amarinder Singh came into power after highlighting the drugs issue and at the time of elections, he had taken oath under ‘Gutka Sahib’ to eradicate drugs within four weeks of assuming power. But the business of drugs has further flourished under the patronage of the state government. The death of Balwinder Kumar is a proverbial tip of the iceberg as the drug menace in the state is widely pervasive. A large number of youths are dying every day due to the abundant availability of drugs,” said Khaira.

The AAP leader asked Madan Lal, deceased’s father, not to hide the exact reason for the death of his son so that many other lives could be saved.

He said if a fair survey was conducted by independent agencies in the state, the number of drug-related deaths would be more.

Accusing the Chief Minister of following in the footsteps of Sukhbir Badal, Khaira said more than 50,000 helpless drug addicts and petty drug peddlers had been lodged in jails of the state, while the big fish and drugs mafia were doing their brisk business.

“If the Chief Minister does not break the politician-police-drug mafia nexus in the state, it is impossible to eradicate drugs. The drug menace has now even catching women’s fancy in the state as more and  more young girls are being hooked to drugs,” he added. 

Khaira said, “If the Chief Minster is sure that the drugs menace had eradicated in the state, he should once again hold the ‘Gutka Sahib’ and repeat his statement. If he does that, we will drop our campaign against drugs. But if he fails to do so, the Chief Minster should tender an apology to the people for making a false promise merely for cheap political gains.”