BJP’s Kainth slams Mann govt over NCRB report on drug overdose deaths

Chandigarh: The Punjab BJP on Saturday attacked the Bhagwant Mann govt over the growing drug menace and drug overdose deaths in the state.Reacting to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, which ranked Punjab second in the country in drug overdose deaths, Punjab BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha vice-president Paramjit Singh Kainth said while the Punjab govt continued to make tall claims about fighting drugs, the ground reality presented an entirely different picture.He also cited the Supreme Court's observations regarding the state's growing drug menace to expose the Aam Aadmi Party govt's campaign against drugs.Kainth said the increase in drug overdose deaths from 89 in 2023 to 106 in 2024 clearly proved that the drug mafia remained active in the state and that the govt had failed to control the situation.He further said that Punjab topping the country in cases registered under the NDPS Act and in drug trafficking-related crimes was deeply alarming. According to Kainth, this is not merely a law-and-order failure but also a serious threat to the future of the youth, especially those belonging to poor and Dalit communities.Kainth said the Supreme Court's observation that "small-level drug peddlers are being arrested for publicity while major smugglers are being spared" reflected the long-standing concern of the people of Punjab.He said this remark exposed the true state of the Punjab govt's anti-drug policy.MSID:: 130976986 413 |