PHAGWARA: Rajya Sabha Member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has termed the killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was actively involved in the fight against drug abuse, deeply unfortunate and distressing. He said the incident had shaken the entire Punjabi community and highlighted the need to ensure the safety of those working against the drug menace.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, Sant Seechewal said that in Punjab’s social tradition, sons are considered a major source of support for their parents in old age. However, the pain of an elderly father carrying his son’s bier is among the heaviest burdens a person can endure. He said his thoughts and sympathies were with the victim’s family and stressed that the safety of young people fighting against drugs, whether collectively or individually, must be given the utmost priority.
Raising questions over the supply of narcotics to Punjab, Sant Seechewal said it was surprising that drugs were reportedly reaching the state through Gujarat’s ports. He questioned how heroin, commonly referred to as ‘chitta’ in Punjab, could pass through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana before reaching Punjab without being intercepted by the police or security agencies of these states.
He also questioned the effectiveness of the security arrangements despite the Centre’s decision to extend the Border Security Force’s jurisdiction from 15 kilometres to 50 kilometres inside the international border. He pointed out that drugs continued to reach Punjab in large quantities, whether through drones or road transport.
Sant Seechewal emphasised that the focus should be on identifying and arresting the networks and organised groups involved in supplying narcotics to Punjab. He said the Central Government must be held accountable for ensuring that these networks are dismantled and the state’s youth are protected from the devastating effects of drug abuse.
Describing drugs as a serious threat to society, communities, states and the country, he said Punjab had already suffered immense losses due to substance abuse. Preventing the spread of narcotics, he added, was a major responsibility of governments and required effective enforcement and coordinated action by all concerned agencies.
It is pertinent to mention that, concerned over the drug menace and what he perceived as the limitations of the police response, Sant Seechewal had launched the ‘Apna Pind Sambhalo’ (Take Care of Your Village) campaign in his area. The initiative has reportedly yielded encouraging results, with villagers setting up checkpoints in their respective areas and handing over several people suspected of involvement in drug-related activities to the police.
According to the account of the campaign, checkpoints established by village panches, sarpanches and local residents have also led to the seizure of heroin. Sant Seechewal’s initiative seeks to encourage community participation in tackling drug abuse and protecting Punjab’s younger generation from the growing menace.