Amritsar, September 2
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and MP from Gurdaspur, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, held a press conference today in Amritsar expressing deep concern over drugs, gangsterism, and the influx of drones and weapons from across the border in Punjab. He wrote another letter targeting Home Minister Amit Shah regarding gangsterism and drugs, bringing the total number of letters he has written to Amit Shah about the situation in Punjab to 10–15.
Randhawa launched a sharp attack on both the BJP-led Union government and the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab. He stated that while the BJP is failing to curb cross-border drug smuggling and drone activity, the Punjab Police—which is actively avoiding public exposure—is failing to eliminate gangsters.
Directing criticism at the “Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra” launched by the BJP from Pathankot, Randhawa accused them of defaming Punjab. He stated that it is essential to control not just chitta (heroin) but synthetic drugs in Punjab, which currently account for more than 40% in the country. Addressing BJP MP Tarun Chugh, he remarked that Chugh should present the ground reality of Punjab to the BJP rather than misleading the public in the name of drugs. He urged Amit Shah, during his upcoming visit to Punjab on September 30, not to engage in mere rhetoric, but to take strict action against complicit Narcotics Department officials, visit the Pakistan border, and prevent drones from bringing in drugs, emphasizing that this is a matter of national security.
Addressing gangsterism in Punjab, he pointed out that Jaggu Bhagwanpuria has 128 cases registered against him, yet he continues to operate his network from inside prison. His network consists of over 1,000 members across Punjab and abroad, with 100 members in the US alone. Randhawa alleged that Jaggu is running this network in collusion with the Punjab police. He further mocked the advisory issued by the Punjab government advising police personnel to report to police stations in plain clothes.
Randhawa called it deeply shameful that the Punjab Police is being asked to enter police stations stealthily, adding that the situation has deteriorated to the point where police officers are afraid to step out of their homes during the day. He further alleged that senior police officials regularly engage in video calls with gangsters, asserting that real progress will only happen if they stop these interactions and take decisive action. He urged that Punjab should not be destroyed, but rather saved.