The Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab was fighting war against drugs to save the nation and appealed the people of state and country to support this war to curb this menace.Talking to media after reviewing the arrangements of state level function being organized on the occasion of Maghi Mela, Mr. Badal said that a serious conspiracy has been hatched to defame Punjab on drug issue whereas Punjab did not produced even a gram of drug. He said that there was great need to ensuring greater vigilance at the international border to stop inflow of drugs into Punjab besides complete ban on cultivation and sale of opium and poppy husk in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Badal said that Punjab government has taken strong initiatives to stop drug trafficking including the record arrests of traffickers and record seizures of drugs. He said that if we look at track record of other States on the drugs issue we would find that this was a national issue and did not pertain to Punjab alone. He said that there should not be two sets of laws on the cultivation and sale of opium in this
country. “Punjab is a victim of opium and poppy husk smuggling intothe State from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This must be stopped forthwith”, he added.
He reiterated the commitment of Punjab government to boost the overall development in the state and said that in coming two years Punjabwould be known or its world class Power and road infrastructure. Meanwhile, Deputy CM also issued instructions regarding the arrangement of Maghi Mela to concerned officials.Prominent who were present on the occasion included CPS Mr. Mantar Singh Brar, MLA Mr. Harpreet Singh, Mr. Deep Malhotra, Mr. Dayal Singh Kolian Wali, Youth Akali Dal Malwa Zone President Mr. Kawarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi, Mr. Manjit Singh Barkandi, Mr Manjinder Singh Bittu.