Punjab Chief Minister Takes Drastic Action Against Police Over Drug Complaint
In a bold move demonstrating his administration's zero-tolerance stance on narcotics, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday ordered the immediate transfer of the entire staff of a police post out of Bathinda district. This decisive action came directly in response to a formal complaint lodged by Gulabgarh village sarpanch Lakha Singh, who highlighted the alarming ease with which drugs were being distributed in his community on the outskirts of Bathinda district headquarters.
Immediate Police Staff Transfer Following CM's Directives
Acting swiftly on the chief minister's explicit instructions, Bathinda Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harjit Singh executed the transfer order. The entire contingent from the Kot Shamir police post was relocated to Mansa district. The transferred personnel included three assistant sub-inspectors, four senior constables, one constable, and three home guard jawans.
DIG Harjit Singh confirmed to media outlets that a departmental enquiry has also been initiated against Bathinda Sadar Station House Officer (SHO), Inspector Jaswinder Singh. Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Singh stated unequivocally that any leniency shown towards drug-related activities would not be tolerated under the current state government's strict anti-drug campaign.
Public Grievance Session Triggers Swift Response
The chain of events was set in motion during a public interaction session held at the Balwant Gargi Auditorium in Bathinda. Before proceeding to a political rally in Jaito, Chief Minister Mann dedicated time to listen to the concerns of approximately 600 to 700 local residents.
It was during this forum that Sarpanch Lakha Singh presented his distressing account. He reported that drugs were being sold and consumed freely in Gulabgarh village, with local police consistently ignoring formal complaints. The sarpanch revealed the tragic consequence of this inaction, noting that several youths from the area had allegedly died due to drug overdoses.
Lakha Singh expressed his frustration, explaining that he had submitted written complaints to the Kot Shamir police post, yet no concrete action was taken. This negligence persisted despite the Punjab government's highly publicized and aggressive zero-tolerance campaign against drug abuse across the state.
Chief Minister's Firm Stance on Drug Eradication
Visibly angered by the sarpanch's testimony, Chief Minister Mann immediately summoned DIG Harjit Singh who was present at the venue. Mann issued a direct order for the immediate transfer of the entire police post staff out of Bathinda district, initially suggesting a possible posting to Pathankot.
The chief minister articulated his stern position, stating, "The entire police force and government are engaged in a relentless war against drugs. Under such critical circumstances, if certain police officers show disregard and allow the free flow of narcotics, it is completely intolerable. We will not compromise on this issue."
Other Public Grievances Addressed
While the drug complaint garnered the most immediate and severe response, the public grievance session also highlighted other pressing issues faced by Bathinda residents. Several attendees raised concerns about the unavailability of potable drinking water in their villages, while others complained about erratic and unreliable power supply affecting their daily lives and livelihoods.
This incident underscores the Punjab government's intensified focus on combating the drug epidemic that has plagued the state for years. The wholesale transfer of police personnel serves as a stark warning to law enforcement officials across Punjab about the serious consequences of negligence in drug-related matters.
