Village Walls Speak Truth About Drug Menace
In a bold public statement, residents of Maur Kalan village in Bathinda district took to graffiti on Sunday to highlight the rampant drug problem plaguing their community. The words 'aethe chitta shareaam vikda hai' (drugs are openly sold here) appeared on several outer walls, sending a clear message about the accessibility of narcotics in their village.
Police officials reacted swiftly to the development, covering the graffiti with paint in several locations. However, this action failed to silence the growing discontent among villagers, who gathered in significant numbers to support the message written on their walls.
Police Claims Versus Ground Reality
According to Bathinda SSP Amneet Kondal, the situation has improved dramatically since the launch of the Yudh Nashia Virudh campaign on March 1 this year. The police claim that drug availability has reduced by nearly 70% in the area, with 23 FIRs registered under the NDPS Act and 43 accused drug peddlers arrested from the village alone.
Maur DSP Kuldeep Singh Brar confirmed that police received information about the graffiti concerning open drug sales in Maur Kalan. The village, falling under the Maur subdivision, has long been considered a hotspot for drug abuse in the region.
However, villagers tell a different story. Krishna, a village resident whose nephew recently died from drug abuse, stated emphatically that 'whatever has been written is 100% correct'. She claimed that drugs remain easily available and that police are aware of those involved in the drug trade.
Bail System Undermining Anti-Drug Efforts
A significant concern raised by sources familiar with the situation involves the bail system. Despite numerous cases and arrests in the village, many accused individuals secure bail because drug recoveries don't meet commercial quantity thresholds. This legal loophole allows them to quickly return to their illegal activities.
Village resident Manjit Kaur expressed deep concern about youths falling prey to drug abuse and urged police to take stricter measures to protect them. Another resident, Jagdev Singh, suggested conducting dope tests on village youths, confident that many would test positive given the easy availability of drugs.
The police have taken some proactive measures, with five youths admitted to a de-addiction centre recently under section 64A of the NDPS Act. They've also been conducting cordon and search operations (CASO) as part of their anti-drug campaign.
According to police records, two youths died from drug-related causes in the past month, with one case having other contributing factors. Villagers, however, claim the death toll is significantly higher.
The Punjab government continues to emphasize its tough stance on containing drug addiction, with the Yudh Nashia Virudh campaign being a cornerstone of this effort. However, opposition parties maintain that the situation continues to deteriorate despite these measures.
