Broken backbone of drug mafia: CM

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 26

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday claimed that his government’s comprehensive campaign against drugs had broken the backbone of the drug mafia in the state.

The government had adopted a comprehensive EDP – enforcement, de-addiction and prevention — strategy to rid the state of drugs, he said.

Citing figures, Capt Amarinder said 34,373 NDPS cases had been registered during the last three years, with the arrest of 42,571 persons and seizure of 974.15 kg of heroin by the state police. A total of 193 out-patient opioid addiction treatment (OOAT) clinics had been established for providing free and regular treatment to addicts. At present, 3.70 lakh persons were undergoing treatment for addiction in the state, he said.

He dubbed as “bundle of lies” the allegation of SAD patron Prakash Singh Badal that he (the CM) had failed to end the drug menace in the state after swearing on Gutka Sahib. The Chief Minister said he had taken the oath at Damdama that he would break the backbone of drug mafia, which he had done successfully.

Release STF report: Cheema

Speaking on Governor’s address, Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema raised the issue of STF chief Harpreet Sidhu’s report on links of drug lords with a minister in the then SAD-BJP government. He questioned the CM if he was trying to save him. He asked him to bring the report before the House. Earlier, the issue was raised by Lok Insaaf Party leader Simarjit Singh Bains. He said when action against drug lords was taken and their properties were confiscated then why the former minister was spared?