14 deaths in 14 days; drug crisis out of AAP's control: Raja Warring
15th August a month away, certain CM Mann will give new timeline on drug menace: Warring
No more publicity stunts, Punjab demands action against drug crisis says warring
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, July 18, 2024:
Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and Member of Parliament from Ludhiana, has sharply criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the worsening drug crisis in Punjab.
In a scathing statement, Warring remarked, “Throughout the Aam Aadmi Party's tenure in Punjab, which has lasted over two and a half years, all we've heard are dates and timelines for when the drug crisis will end. Instead of improving, the situation has deteriorated, with the drug problem increasing fourfold under AAP's governance.”
Warring pointed out the broken promises made by the AAP during the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, saying, “The Aam Aadmi Party came to power with the promise of ending the drug menace in Punjab within three months of their victory. However, the crisis has only escalated, with the drug problem increasing fourfold in our state. The number of deaths due to drug-related issues has also risen significantly over the past two years. The month of June witnessed an astonishing 14 deaths in 14 days due to drug overdose with four more deaths being reported yesterday itself. The youth of our state is slowly being engulfed by the 'drug pandemic' being witnessed in Punjab. This 28-month tenure has led to the death of at least 587 youngsters in Punjab, with actual figures being around 4-times the reported number.”
Expressing his alarm over the current situation, Warring stated, “The condition in Punjab is alarming, with our state facing unprecedented issues. Mere statements and rhetoric from the Aam Aadmi Party have exacerbated the situation. On August 15, 2023, CM Bhagwant Mann claimed that heroin would be eradicated in Punjab by this time next year. With less than a month remaining, I am certain a new timeline will be provided, claiming that groundwork has already started.”
Warring also criticized the inaction of the AAP government, questioning, “I would like to ask the CM, why isn’t work starting? What is the Aam Aadmi Party waiting for? How many more false promises must we hear before actual work begins? You claim to know where all the drugs are being sold in every street of Punjab, yet you still cannot contain the crisis? This is a serious issue, and the Punjab government needs to be held accountable, unlike the administration and police force which are being blamed by CM Mann.”
Stressing the need for immediate action, Warring declared, “It is crucial that strict measures be taken to control the situation. Ardaas at the Harimandar Sahib as a publicity stunt will not work; Punjab needs action from the government. The situation is so dire that reports indicate patients in de-addiction centres are becoming addicted to the de-addiction drugs due to mismanaged distribution by doctors. Is this the future of our Punjab?”
He further added, “New types of drugs are recently entering the market, with pharmaceutical drugs accounting for 25% of NDPS FIRs in Punjab. Additionally, NCRB data has shown that Punjab had the highest number of drug overdose deaths in the nation in 2022. Is this the change and eradication of drugs that the AAP government promised?”
In conclusion, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring called for urgent and effective measures to combat the drug crisis in Punjab, urging the AAP government to fulfill its promises and take real action to protect the people of the state from the devastating impact of drugs. The PPCC Chief reiterated his commitment to holding the government accountable and working towards a drug-free Punjab.