Opposition Parties Demand Accountability Over Punjab's Escalating Drug Crisis
In a sharp critique of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, opposition leaders in Punjab have raised alarms over the worsening drug epidemic, following the reported death of a youth in Bathinda linked to substance abuse. The incident has sparked calls for urgent action and transparency from state authorities.
Majithia Accuses Government of Misleading Data
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia highlighted the Bathinda case, which was brought to light by an NGO, as evidence of rising fatalities due to drugs across Punjab. He targeted Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, alleging that the government is relying on misleading figures instead of providing actual data to the public.
Referring to a video from the Bathinda incident that showed the youth with alleged injection marks, Majithia emphasized that similar deaths are being reported from multiple districts, including:
- Mansa
- Tarn Taran
- Amritsar
- Gurdaspur
- Kapurthala
He also cited a tragic case from Kapurthala where a woman reportedly lost all five of her sons to drug addiction, calling it a stark reflection of the scale of devastation. Majithia demanded:
- District-wise data on drug-related deaths
- Stricter action against traffickers
- Stronger rehabilitation measures
Congress MLA Dhaliwal Calls for Comprehensive Strategy
Congress MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal echoed these concerns, terming the Bathinda incident a painful reflection of the ongoing crisis. He stated that despite repeated assurances from the government, the drug menace continues to devastate families, and called for urgent, coordinated, and transparent action.
Highlighting socio-economic factors such as unemployment and lack of opportunities, Dhaliwal stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy that combines:
- Prevention efforts
- Enforcement against drug trafficking
- Rehabilitation programs for addicts
He urged civil society and community leaders to join the fight, emphasizing that the crisis is not just a law-and-order issue, but a fight to save Punjab's future.
Growing Pressure on Punjab Government
The opposition's statements come amid increasing public concern over drug-related deaths in the state. The calls for accountability and data transparency underscore the political tensions surrounding the issue, with both the Shiromani Akali Dal and Congress pushing the AAP-led government to address the epidemic more effectively.
As the debate intensifies, the focus remains on whether the state will implement the demanded measures to combat the drug crisis and protect vulnerable communities.
