Chandigarh, March 19
The arrest of a “big fish”, an AAP sarpanch from Kot Hirde Ram village in Majitha, who also serves as youth halka incharge, PA to Talbir Gill, and a financer of the party, with over 4 kg of heroin along with a pistol and cartridges, has triggered a fresh political storm in Punjab, with the Shiromani Akali Dal targeting the ruling party and alleging a pattern in recent drug cases.
Addressing a press conference, Arshdeep Singh Kler, spokesperson and chief of the legal cell, said the development was of “serious concern” for the state and not an isolated incident. He was joined by Ranbir Rana and Jaspreet Singh Brar.
Kler said three persons were arrested in the incident and over 4 kg heroin, along with a pistol and cartridges, was recovered. He alleged that the accused who is a Sarpanch of AAP, was apprehended while transporting the contraband, indicating the involvement of a larger network. Seeking intervention of central agencies, Kler said the Narcotics Control Bureau should carry out a detailed investigation to uncover the full extent of the network and its possible links.
Raising a series of questions, he asked how far the network extended, how much heroin had been brought into Punjab and where it had been supplied, who else was involved in the illegal trade, and whether any part of the drug money had reached political leaders.
Linking the development to a broader trend, he referred to an earlier Tarn Taran incident where an AAP Sarpanch was caught with a large quantity of heroin by a central agency, and said repeated cases were pointing towards a pattern. Kler alleged that an SHO of Majitha reports to Lovepreet Singh. He accused the Aam Aadmi Party of building its politics by targeting opponents on drugs and gangsterism, while “allowing the drug trade to grow internally”.
Referring to past claims, he said Arvind Kejriwal had promised to eliminate gangsters within a short time, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann continues to blame previous governments. “These claims do not match the ground reality,” he alleged. He also cited observations of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the drug situation in the state, stating that the court had rebuked the DGP and observed that it appeared the government was enabling the drug trade. He said such remarks were based on evidence and official reports.
Kler questioned the credibility of the government’s anti drug drive, saying the much publicised “Yudh Nasheya Virudh” is losing relevance amid repeated arrests linked to ruling party functionaries. He further alleged that while the government raises the issue of drugs in public forums, it remains silent when such cases emerge. He demanded a response from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
