'End the drug trade, abuse me all you want': Shah targets Mann over Punjab killings
Chandigarh, Oct 20 (UNI) union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the state's drug crisis, saying the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was free to criticise him but must explain why people campaigning against narcotics trafficking were being killed and why drug networks continued to operate.
"Say whatever you want about me, abuse me as much as you like, but at least put an end to the drug trade," Shah said at a press conference in Ludhiana after visiting three bereaved families in Gurdaspur, Sangrur and Mansa. Shah accused the Mann government of failing to protect anti-drug campaigners and alleged that large-scale narcotics trafficking could not flourish without political patronage. "Is it possible for drugs to enter Punjab without political protection? It is absolutely impossible," he said.
The Home Minister also questioned the AAP government's commitment to freedom of expression, alleging that people displaying black flags in protest were being assaulted. "Those who talk about freedom of expression in Delhi are beating people for showing black flags in Punjab. Those who raise their voices against drugs are being killed," Shah alleged. Referring to the AAP's promise to eradicate drugs within three months of assuming power, Shah said the government had failed to deliver on its commitment. "You came to power promising to eliminate drugs in three months. Today, even your own policemen are being caught in drug-related cases, while those opposing the trade are being murdered," he alleged.
Shah questioned Punjab's enforcement record under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, claiming that the state had recorded no detentions under the legislation despite 929 cases or actions nationally over the past year. "How many people have been detained under this law in Punjab? The answer is zero. Why has nobody been detained? The government must answer the people of Punjab," he said. Responding to Mann's allegations that narcotics were entering Punjab through ports in Gujarat and Maharashtra, Shah said central agencies had seized drugs worth Rs 20,000 crore. "What does the Punjab government want? Should we stop seizing drugs so that they reach young men and women in Punjab in small packets?" he asked.
Shah welcomed Mann's decision earlier in the day to hand over the murder investigation of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), but demanded that two other cases involving families he met during his visit also be transferred to the central agency. "Hand over the other two cases to the CBI as well. You will not be able to handle them," Shah told the Chief Minister. Promising a thorough investigation into Jhota's killing, Shah said no suspect would be spared, irrespective of their influence. "Whoever is involved, however powerful they may be, we will find them even from the depths of the earth and bring them before the law," he said.
During his visit to Mansa, Shah met Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, and other family members. BJP leader Sunil Jakhar said the Home Minister had assured the family that a CBI team would reach Mansa by noon on Wednesday to begin recording statements. Earlier, Shah visited the family of Vikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur, where he touched the feet of the victim's mother, Surjit Kaur, and assured her of justice.
He also met the family of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur. Gulzar's relatives have alleged that he died by suicide after being harassed for questioning Punjab minister Harpal Singh Cheema. The allegations have yet to be established through an investigation. According to the family, Shah assured them that justice would be delivered within two to three months and expressed his willingness to attend Gulzar's final religious ceremony.
The Home Minister said his interactions with the families had revealed a deeply disturbing situation. "The situation in Punjab is far worse than what the reports reaching Delhi suggest. Some have lost their brothers, others their husbands. What answer does the Punjab government have for these families?" he asked. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney said he had urged Shah to initiate action to attach assets worth approximately Rs 34 crore allegedly belonging to accused Ashwani Kumar in the Jhota murder case and consider providing financial relief to the victim's family.
Shah's remarks came hours after Mann accused the BJP-led Centre of politicising the drug crisis and failing to prevent narcotics trafficking through Gujarat, Rajasthan and the international border. Mann had questioned the BJP's record on drug enforcement during its previous alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal and accused Shah of visiting Punjab for political publicity. Shah rejected the criticism, saying his visit was intended to console grieving families and seek accountability for the violence. "I came to Punjab to offer condolences to families who have suffered. Instead, personal attacks were directed at me. Such criticism does not affect me, but the drug trade must end," he said.
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