Terming that Punjab was bearing the brunt of its war against drugs, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the state was being maligned irrespective of the fact that not even a single ounce of drug was produced in it. Interacting with the media persons on the side lines of his thanks giving tour in Dhuri assembly segment here today, the Chief Minister said that drugs like opium, heroin, smack and others were smuggled in the state from across the border whereas other narcotics like poppy husk were coming to Punjab from states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and others where it was sold openly. However, he said that ironically the state's image has been belittled just because Punjab was fighting the war against drugs from the forefront. “We have suffered earlier as the state fought national war against militancy to protect unity and integrity of the country and now we are being victimized for waging a direct war against drug menace” added Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister said that the state security agencies have cracked down heavily on the drug peddlers by nabbing them thereby cutting the supply line of drugs. He said that even the properties of the drug peddlers have been confiscated to ensure that people involved in this heinous crime must get exemplary punishment. Besides, Mr. Badal said that a network of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers had been set up in the state to detoxify the drugs addicts on one hand and impart skill training to them on the other so that they could lead their life with dignity and pride.The Chief Minister further said that on its part the state government was doing its best to stamp out this curse from the state but the need of the hour was to intensify vigil on the borders for checking cross border smuggling. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that efforts need to be made to ensure that no state allows free flow of drugs from its jurisdiction. “It’s not only a state's or country’s problem but it is a global phenomenon which can be tackled jointly”, he added. Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that he was duty-bound to maintain peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in the state and not even a single such decision has been taken by him, which could disturb peace of the state.
Terming that transfer of Sikh prisoners from other states would hardly pose any threat to peace and harmony in Punjab, he said that each and every decision of the state government was aimed at preserving the hard earned peace, communal harmony and amity in the state. Mr. Badal said that the state governments across the country have been following the policy of transferring prisoners from one to another and Punjab was hardly an exception to it. Taking a strong exception on people who were raising the bogey of terrorism, the Chief Minister said that how could militancy be revived in the state with the transfer of indisposed person like Prof. Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar. “The apprehensions regarding revival of militancy in the state with this decision are totally baseless and unwarranted” added Mr. Badal. Earlier addressing the gatherings in village Rangian, Sultanpur, Alaal, Muluwal, Ranike, Hassanpur, Bugra, Pedni Kalan and others during his thanks giving tour, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude towards the people for reposing faith in the pro-people and development oriented policies of the state government.
He said that this victory has filled them with more responsibility to serve the people of the state with utmost zeal, dedication and commitment. Mr. Badal said that the state government would leave no stone unturned for ensuring the overall development of Punjab in general and Dhuri assembly segment in particular. The Chief Minister said that the Sangat Darshan program was a boon to comprehend the problem of every village in an apt manner, for its early resolution. Mr. Badal said that rather than sitting in office he has always preferred to go amidst the people to listen to their grievances and solve them on the spot. He said that in Sangat Darshans the people hardly face any sort of harassment in getting their day-to-day works done.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, MLA Mr. Gobind Singh Longowal, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Arshdeep Singh Thind.