Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the families of three men who allegedly lost their lives after speaking out against drug trafficking in Punjab, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of failing to control the state’s growing drug menace. During his visit Tuesday, Shah met the family of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur, Gulzar Singh’s relatives in Sangrur and the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. Expressing condolences, Shah criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s administration, alleging that drug traffickers had become increasingly emboldened while individuals campaigning against illegal narcotics were facing serious threats. He reiterated the central government’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and protecting young people from substance abuse.
Shah’s visit also brought attention to the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three men. Gulzar Singh reportedly died by suicide after allegedly facing intimidation for questioning a Punjab minister about the open sale of synthetic drugs, commonly known as chitta. Meanwhile, anti-drug campaigner Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead inside a medical store in Mansa on October 13 while broadcasting a Facebook Live video. According to police reports, shop owner Ashwani Kumar allegedly opened fire after Jhota confronted him over the sale of addictive substances to an elderly customer. Kumar was subsequently arrested in Salasar, Rajasthan. Hours before Shah’s visit, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the Punjab government had decided to transfer the murder investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The deaths have intensified political tensions in Punjab ahead of the state assembly elections scheduled for early next year. Shah accused the AAP administration of allowing drug trafficking to flourish and failing to ensure the safety of those challenging the illegal trade. The murder of Jhota, in particular, has triggered widespread concern and renewed scrutiny of law enforcement efforts against narcotics trafficking. With the issue becoming a major political flashpoint, the safety of anti-drug campaigners and the effectiveness of Punjab’s anti-narcotics measures are expected to remain central topics in the state’s political debate.
