AAP criticizes Congress and BJP for enabling drug trade in Punjab, claims impact on youth's future
Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab attacks Congress and BJP for their leaders paddling drugs in Punjab and putting the lives and futures of our youth in danger. AAP said that with the arrest of a Congress leader in Baba Bakala with more than 100 kgs of Heroin (worth 500 crores) prove how deeply these parties and their leaders are involved in the nexus that has ruined Punjab. AAP Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh held a press conference today, accompanied by Amandeep Singh, Chairman of Markfed, to address the serious issue of drug trafficking in Punjab and the involvement of Congress and BJP leaders. Minister Sondh revealed the connections between these political parties and the ongoing drug crisis in the state. He highlighted the recent arrest of Navjot Singh, a Congress circle chief from Baba Bakala, who was apprehended by Punjab Police during a counter-intelligence operation. Authorities seized a staggering 105 kilograms of heroin, along with 31 kilograms of caffeine, five foreign pistols, and a country-made gun from his possession. The estimated value of the heroin is around ₹500 crores.
“I commend the Punjab Police for their exceptional efforts in intercepting this significant drug shipment, which was traced from Pakistan through Jammu,” said Minister Sondh. “This operation demonstrates our (AAP government's) commitment to combating drug-related crimes.” A few days ago in another alarming case, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) arrested former MLA Satkar Kaur. This further led to the capture of her nephew, Jaskirat Singh, along with the recovery of 100 grams of heroin from their vehicle. A subsequent search of their home uncovered an additional 28 grams of heroin and ₹156,000 in cash, as well as several luxury vehicles registered in Haryana and Delhi.
Minister Sondh further criticized the previous SAD-BJP government for allowing drug abuse to escalate in Punjab. He pointed to the arrest of Gurdeep Singh Rano, an Akali Dal member, who was found with a large quantity of drugs and firearms. These kinds of people were often seen with Akali leaders like Sukhbir Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia, Rano was often seen with Captain Amarinder Singh's OSD Ankit Bansal too. Rano’s connections to prominent leaders, raise serious concerns about the political shelter provided to drug traffickers. Sondh said that the BJP distanced itself from Satkar Kaur after her arrest but the question still remains why they are allowing their leaders to ruin our state and youth. He asked what kind of action Congress and their top leadership in Punjab, Pratap Bajwa and Raja Warring will take to stop leaders of their party from paddling drugs. Since taking office in 2022, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the AAP government have been actively working to dismantle drug networks in Punjab. “I urge the people of Punjab to recognize the true faces of these parties. Despite their political setbacks, their operatives remain entrenched in drug peddling,” Sondh said.
