'Drug trade flourishing under Mann govt': BJP targets Punjab's ruling AAP over Dalit man's death

New Delhi, Sep 8 (AHN) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government over the alleged flourishing drug trade in the state following the death of Gulzar Singh, a Dalit man from Sangrur district who had publicly raised concerns over the easy availability of heroin in his village.

Gulzar Singh had raised the issue of drug availability before Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. He allegedly consumed poison after claiming that he faced pressure and intimidation following his public questioning of Cheema over the prevalence of "chitta", a term commonly used for drugs, in his village.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the incident was deeply distressing and accused the Punjab government of failing to take effective steps to curb the drug menace.

"This conference is being held with a very heavy heart and deep sorrow... Under the government of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Punjab, the drug trade is openly flourishing, and the government is not taking effective action on it," he said.

Bhatia said Gulzar Singh had approached the state minister over his son's drug addiction and had urged the authorities to take strict action against those involved in the drug trade.

"Gulzar Singh had told the minister that his son was taking 'Chitta' and strict action should be taken against him. He had also appealed to save the youth of Punjab from drugs... Gulzar Singh had sold valuables and even his property to pay for his son's treatment, after which his family was in financial crisis," he said.

The BJP spokesperson alleged that instead of addressing Gulzar Singh's concerns, local AAP leaders, including the village sarpanch, visited his residence and allegedly pressured him to apologise to the minister over his remarks.

"While it is the fundamental responsibility of the AAP government to eradicate the drug menace, what this chaotic, misgoverned administration did instead will leave everyone in deep anguish. AAP leaders, including the local village sarpanch, rather than taking action against drug peddlers, go to Gulzar Singh's home. He is threatened and intimidated. He is confronted and told, 'You spoke disrespectfully; you must tender an apology to the minister.' He is harassed and tormented to such an extent that Gulzar Singh consumed poison," Bhatia said.

Bhatia further said that Gulzar Singh recorded a video after consuming poison, in which he allegedly blamed certain people for the circumstances leading to his death and also raised questions over availability of drugs in the area.

The BJP spokesperson said Gulzar Singh had used the video to highlight what he alleged was the easy availability of drugs and the lack of adequate action by the government to stop the drug trade.

Launching a broader attack on the Punjab government, Bhatia said: "The drug trade is continuing to flourish in Punjab under the supervision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann."

Taking aim at Chief Minister Mann and Finance Minister Cheema, the BJP leader said the government had a duty to protect the state's youth from drug addiction. He also questioned what action was taken after Gulzar Singh publicly approached the minister and complained about both his son's addiction and the alleged availability of drugs in his locality.

Bhatia questioned the government's response to the allegations and demanded accountability from the Chief Minister and the minister concerned.

"We demand from here: First, Bhagwant Mann -- when the protector becomes the predator, he has no right or moral justification to occupy the chair of the Chief Minister. Bhagwant Mann must resign immediately. Second, because our brother hailed from the SC community, have you taken concrete legal action? Action must also be initiated under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act," he said.

"Third, have you dismissed your minister Harpal Singh Cheema?" Bhatia asked.

Describing Gulzar Singh's death and the allegations surrounding it as a serious matter, the BJP demanded that responsibility be fixed and that the entire episode be investigated impartially.