Man consumes poison after raising drug sales issue before Punjab minister Harpal Singh Cheema

Gulzar Singh's family members and villagers have said that he came under pressure from members of the village panchayat after expressing his concern over drug sales before the minister.

In Short

• Gulzar Singh said his son was addicted to heroin
• Family alleged panchayat members pressured him to apologise, leaving him distressed
• Sarpanch's side has denied all the allegations

A 50-year-old man attempted to end his life after raising the issue of open drug sales in his village before Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, triggering a political controversy in the state’s Sangrur.

The man, identified as Gulzar Singh, is a resident of Tur Banjara village. According to the available information, he had approached Cheema during a development-related programme in the village and complained about the open sale of drugs. He also told the minister that his son was addicted to 'chitta', a term commonly used in Punjab for heroin.

Gulzar's family and villagers have alleged that he came under pressure from members of the village panchayat to apologise after raising the issue before the minister. They claim that the pressure left him distressed, following which he consumed a poisonous substance.

Gulzar was initially taken to a government hospital in Sangrur and was later referred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. He was subsequently shifted to DMC Hospital in Ludhiana for treatment.

Senior cop Rupinder Kaur Bajwa visited the hospital after being informed about the incident. She said police had reached the hospital to record the statements of Gulzar and his family members and that further action would be taken on the basis of their statements.

SARPANCH’S SIDE DENIES ALLEGATIONS

The village sarpanch's side has rejected the allegations that Gulzar was threatened or pressured to apologise.

Baljeet Singh, husband of Sarpanch Baljinder Kaur Sidhu, said the allegations were "completely baseless". According to him, Gulzar had raised the issue of drugs during the minister's visit, following which Cheema and members of the panchayat counselled him and assured him that they were working to combat the drug menace and would extend all possible help.

Baljeet Singh said Gulzar left the programme after the interaction and that the panchayat later learnt that he had consumed a poisonous substance. He denied that any threat was issued to Gulzar or that there had been an argument with him.

He also said two young men from the village had previously died due to drug-related reasons.

INCIDENT COMES DAYS AFTER BLACK FLAG PROTEST

The controversy comes days after another confrontation over drugs in the same district.

On September 2, during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Lok Milni programme in Sheron village in the Sunam Assembly constituency, 37-year-old Mohanjeet Singh climbed onto the roof of a neighbouring house, waved a black flag, and raised slogans questioning the government's claims to be tackling the drug menace.

Mohanjeet was detained by police and released on bail the following day. He subsequently alleged that he was subjected to custodial torture, including beatings and other forms of physical abuse, and was admitted to Civil Hospital in Sangrur.

Police, however, said Mohanjeet was a history-sheeter with eight FIRs against him and that his dope test had returned positive.

OPPOSITION TARGETS AAP GOVERNMENT

The latest incident has given the opposition fresh ammunition to target the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government over its flagship anti-drug campaign.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia said that Gulzar was humiliated and pressured after questioning the government over the drug trade. He accused AAP leaders of attempting to silence a father who had raised concerns about his son's drug addiction.

Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira also attacked the state government, alleging that Gulzar was subjected to mental pressure after questioning Cheema about the drug menace. Khaira demanded an FIR against the minister and those allegedly involved.

Punjab Assembly Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa also criticised the government, alleging that Gulzar was targeted for questioning the authorities over the drug trade. He said the incident raised serious questions about the government's handling of the drug crisis.

The Punjab Congress also said that the incident reflected an attempt to intimidate people who speak out against drugs and demanded that the victim receive justice without any political or administrative interference.

The allegations made by the opposition have not been established. Police are currently recording statements from Gulzar and his family, and further action will depend on the investigation's findings.

The incident has nevertheless reignited the political debate over Punjab's "War Against Drugs" campaign, one of the key initiatives of the Mann government, with the opposition accusing the AAP administration of failing to curb the drug trade despite its repeated claims of action against the menace.

- Ends