Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Union Home Ministry on Friday sought detailed reports from the Punjab government on the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, the death of Bikramjit Singh in another drug-related attack, and the suicide of Gulzar Singh, who had raised concerns over the availability of drugs in his area.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) asked the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to submit detailed reports on the incidents, citing their potential law-and-order implications in the state.
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The Centre has also sought an action-taken report on the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029), which Union Home Minister Amit Shah shared with chief ministers in August. The document outlines strategic priorities and measures aimed at achieving the national objective of a drug-free India.
The communications come after Shah publicly sought accountability over recent deaths in Punjab amid allegations surrounding the state’s drug menace.
Jhota, who had campaigned against drug abuse and the illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops, was shot dead earlier this week after he questioned the owner of a medical shop in Punjab’s Mansa over the alleged sale of certain addictive drugs to a man.
The MHA noted that Jhota had reportedly campaigned against the widespread sale and abuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances in Punjab. It also referred to protests following his killing and sought details of the action taken by the state government in the case.
The killing triggered protests and tension in the town. Authorities demolished a portion of the house of the accused, Kumar, while Jhota’s supporters vandalised the medical shop. His family also refused to cremate his body in protest.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann subsequently promised the strictest punishment for those involved in the murder, adding that anyone found to have conspired in the crime would also face action.
In a separate communication, the MHA sought a detailed report from the Punjab government on an attack in Gurdaspur district that left Bikramjit Singh dead and two others critically injured.
According to the ministry, allegations had emerged that the attack was linked to narcotic drugs. Citing the incident’s potential law-and-order implications, the MHA asked the state government to provide a detailed account of the case.
The AAP government has also been asked to submit a detailed report on the alleged suicide of Gulzar Singh, the father of a youth suffering from substance dependence, who died on September 8.
The ministry referred to allegations that Gulzar Singh had questioned the availability of synthetic drugs in his area before his death and had levelled allegations against a minister in the state government.
The communication also cited allegations that Singh faced systematic harassment and pressure from the local village panchayat, which purportedly drove him to take his own life.
Through the three communications, the Centre has sought detailed explanations from the Punjab government on incidents involving alleged drug-related violence, the killing of an anti-drug activist and the suspected suicide of a man who had raised concerns over drug availability.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
