Amit Shah must answer questions on drugs before targeting Punjab government: Baltej Pannu

Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu has launched a sharp attack on the BJP ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Punjab, asking the party to explain its record on tackling the drug menace instead of politicising the issue.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Pannu said the fight against drugs was a social responsibility, not a political battle. He said the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government had launched the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign, involving the police, civil administration and nearly one lakh members of village and ward defence committees.

Pannu said Punjab was taking concrete action against drug networks, including installing anti-drone systems to counter cross-border smuggling. He also questioned the Centre’s response to the problem of medical drugs, alleging that repeated requests to bring certain substances under the NDPS Act had not received the necessary action.

Targeting the BJP, Pannu pointed to the 2007–2017 Akali-BJP government and raised questions about the alleged Rs 6,000-crore drug racket, including the status of the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation. He also questioned the Congress government’s record on drugs between 2017 and 2022.

Pannu criticised Congress leader Raja Warring’s remarks about opening opium shops, saying Punjab needed to become drug-free rather than normalise substance use.

Welcoming Shah’s visit, Pannu urged the Centre to provide stronger support in tackling cross-border smuggling and the supply of medical drugs. He also questioned what assistance the BJP had provided to the families of its Yuva Morcha office-bearers Arshdeep Singh and Vinod Kali, who reportedly died in an incident during an anti-drug march.

On the death of Parvinder Singh Jhota, Pannu said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had decided to hand over the case to the CBI in response to the family’s demand. He said the tragedy should not be used for political gains and stressed that all parties must work together to eliminate drugs and protect Punjab’s youth.