Reacting to the arrest of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia, Aam Aadmi Party leader and Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchakk stated that thousands of families affected by drugs see a ray of hope for justice today. Kataruchakk said that the AAP government has launched the "War Against Drugs" campaign to eradicate drug menace from Punjab at its roots.
“We will eliminate drugs and drug smugglers at all costs. Those who have spread drugs will not be spared under any circumstances, no matter how powerful or influential they are, whether they are big personalities or politicians,” he said.
Kataruchakk addressed this issue alongside AAP spokespersons Neel Garg and Ranjit Pal Singh during a press conference held at the party office in Chandigarh. He stated that Majithia's arrest reflects the political will of AAP and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to fight against drugs.
"Today’s day will go down in history. It will be recorded as the day when the Akali-BJP government was exposed for bringing drugs to Punjab, and the Aam Aadmi Party government under CM Bhagwant Mann uprooted the drug menace," Kataruchakk added.
He further stated that before 2007, the people of Punjab hadn't even heard the name 'Chitta' (heroin). "It was during the Badal government that this drug entered Punjab, ruining thousands of young lives.
Chitta snatched away thousands of children from their parents and left many children orphaned," he said. Kataruchakk accused the Akali-BJP government of enabling the proliferation of drugs through political patronage.
He said, "Drugs could spread on such a massive scale only because the MLAs and ministers of the Akali-BJP government gave political protection to drug smugglers and worked hand in glove with them to expand this trade." He further accused Bikram Majithia of being the mastermind behind this trade. "Majithia protected big drug traffickers and made deals with them for his political gains.
Retired DSP Jagdish Bhola had confirmed this when he said that it was with Majithia's help that they could successfully transport drugs from one place to another. Majithia's arrest is, therefore, a major milestone in our fight against drugs," Kataruchakk said.
He concluded by stating that the Aam Aadmi Party cannot, under any circumstances, compromise with drugs or crime. "Our aim is clear, to make Punjab completely drug-free and restore the state to its former glory and prosperity. We are working with complete dedication to achieve this goal," he said.