Police crack down on drug traders who threatened sarpanch, other activists of Ludhiana village

A day after 'The Tribune' highlighted the stand taken by residents of Narangwal Kalan village in Ludhiana under their whistleblower sarpanch against drug peddlers, Chief Punjab Bhagwant Singh Mann not only gave a pat on the back to the crusader, he directed the Ludhiana (Rural) Police to take stern action against the accused. 

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Having received instructions from Ludhiana (Rural) SSP Ankur Gupta in this regard, the Jodhan police launched a crackdown against the suspects. They recovered 11 gm of heroin, besides two mobile phones, from Tanveer Singh who was nabbed by a police team led by Jaswinder Singh by laying a naka near Drain Bridge, Narangwal.

The names of Balwant Singh and his wife Kulvir Kaur, who had in a video on social media given an open challenge to people to stop her from indulging in drug trade, were added in the case registered against Tanvir Singh later.

The late night action against the drug peddlers and demolition of some parts of the premises possessed by the couple sent a tough message to those involved in the trade.

SSP Ankur Gupta said the late-night action to demolish certain premises possessed by Balwant Singh and his wife Kulvir Kaur was taken on the basis of proceedings initiated by the Panchayat and Civil Department.

“Balwant Singh and Kulvir Kaur were named in the FIR registered against Tanvir Singh on Thursday for possessing 11 gm of heroin and the action to demolish parts of premises was taken in continuance of earlier proceeding initiated by the civil administration,” said Gupta, cautioning anti-social elements against similar actions.

A perusal of FIR revealed that the accused were facing several cases already.

Narangwal Kalan villagers had announced their support for Manjinder Singh — the sarpanch and chairman of Nasha Virodhi Committee of the village — during a meeting held a few days ago.

The meeting was called by Manjinder after he and office-bearers of Nasha Virodhi Committee were threatened by some villagers allegedly involved in drug trafficking and other anti-social activities.

The Tribune had highlighted the circumstances at the village on Wednesday, drawing the attention of the Punjab Government, led by Bhagwant Mann. Manjinder, an Aam Aadmi Party leader, was upbeat that the CM had called him to assure strict action against the drug peddlers, who wanted to suppress his voice earlier.