Amit Shah meets families of Punjab anti-drug campaigners on one-day visit
Union Home Minister Amit Shah met the family of Vikramjit Singh, allegedly shot dead after opposing drug sales, as the Centre sought a report from Punjab.
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Punjab and drugs have been linked for many years, and a film, "Udta Punjab", was even made on the subject. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is now on a one-day visit to Punjab. On Tuesday he met the family of Vikramjit Singh and spoke to them for about 15 minutes. Vikramjit's family is said to have given Shah a memorandum with demands including a fair investigation, a government job and financial assistance.
Vikramjit Singh was allegedly shot dead on October 15 near Mari Pannwa village in the Sri Hargobindpur Sahib area of Gurdaspur district. It is said the incident took place against the background of his opposition to the sale of drugs. It is being said that gangs selling drugs killed him. The incident has brought the issue of drug trafficking in Punjab, and the violence arising from it, back into focus.
During the visit, Shah is to meet the families of three people who fought against the drug problem in the state or lost their lives in violence linked to it. They include the families of Vikramjit Singh of Gurdaspur, Parvinder Singh Jhota, an anti-drug activist from Mansa, and Gulzar Singh of Sangrur.
The demand for strict action against those involved in the drug trade is gaining strength in the state. Against this background, the Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Punjab government on the recent deaths.
Ahead of Shah's visit, the Aam Aadmi Party government expressed support for the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that, respecting the family's demand, the case would be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In a post on X on Tuesday morning, Mann said the government stood firmly behind Jhota's father and the entire family. He also made clear that the case was being given to the CBI at the family's demand.
Sunil Jakhar, former Punjab BJP president, criticised the decision while reacting to it. He said the government was very late in ordering a CBI inquiry.
Shah's one-day visit also includes attending a Dussehra celebration at Daresi Ground in Ludhiana. A message of public awareness against drugs is expected to be delivered there.
