Punjab village declares 'For Sale' amid drug menace, assault on ex-servicemen
Babushahi Bureau
Bathinda (Punjab), June 3, 2025: Bhai Bakhtaur village in Bathinda district, Punjab, has become the epicenter of a dramatic protest against the escalating drug menace.
Villagers, frustrated by the increasing influence of drug traffickers and perceived police inaction, have put up a handwritten banner at the village entrance declaring, "Our Village is For Sale" (Saada pind vikau hai).
The protest was sparked by the brutal assault on ex-serviceman Ranveer Singh, a member of the village’s anti-drug committee. Singh, known for encouraging youth to avoid drugs and engage in sports, was allegedly attacked by local drug peddlers, resulting in fractures to both his legs.
He is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Bathinda
Lakhbir Singh, a local farmer, took the initiative to display the protest banner and released a video highlighting the deteriorating safety conditions in the village due to unchecked drug activities.
He accused the police of failing to protect residents and claimed that drug dealers operate openly, boasting about their immunity. In response to the incident, Bathinda police arrested two individuals, Kuldeep Singh and Gurpreet Singh, on charges including attempted murder and causing grievous hurt.
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Heena Gupta stated that the accused and the victim had a history of mutual enmity, and prior clashes had been recorded.
Despite the arrests, villagers remain skeptical about the effectiveness of police action and demand more stringent measures to eradicate the drug trade from their community.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of drug proliferation in rural Punjab and the urgent need for comprehensive intervention.