Phagwara: A 26-year-old youth was discovered dead at a relative's residence in Balmiki Mohalla near Subhash Nagar, sparking allegations from local residents that he succumbed to a drug overdose. The relative, Gaurav, in whose house the body was found, confessed that both he and the deceased had consumed drugs on Tuesday evening. Gaurav stated that the victim had brought drugs with him and shared them. The next morning, when Gaurav tried to wake him, he found him unresponsive.
Family and Resident Accounts
Jyoti, a resident and cousin of the deceased, identified the victim as Vishal, who had traveled from Amritsar to check on her father's health. She mentioned that Vishal went out and did not return. Later, Gaurav alerted them that Vishal was not waking up. Jyoti acknowledged that Vishal was known to be an addict.
In a statement to a Punjabi web channel, Gaurav described the events: "We were roaming together, and he consumed a drug, then slept at my home. He had drugs with him. He consumed and also gave me a dose. I asked him to leave, but he refused." Gaurav admitted to being an addict himself and undergoing treatment. He noted that he is a relative of the host family.
Community Concerns
Local advocate Rimpy Gill highlighted the persistent drug problem in the area. She claimed that residents are aware of the main drug supplier, who also resides in the neighborhood. The issue of drug abuse continues to plague the community, according to Gill.
Phagwara City police station SHO Inspector Amarpreet Kaur reported that the deceased's family was not ready to provide a formal statement to the authorities. The investigation is ongoing, but the family's reluctance may hinder progress.
Broader Context
This incident underscores the ongoing drug crisis in parts of Punjab, where addiction and overdose deaths remain significant concerns. Local authorities and community leaders have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement and rehabilitation measures to combat the scourge.
