Claiming that it was waging a war against drug smuggling and abuse in the country, Punjab Government on Saturday asked the Central Government to ban cultivation of narcotics like opium, poppy, ganja etc in other States so that drug abuse was put to an end.
During his visit to notified area committee with Union Minister for Food Processing Industry Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal said people with vested interests were defaming Punjab in context of drug addiction. “Country should know that Punjab is a victim of drug abuse. We are rice and wheat producing State unlike States like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh that draw huge economic gain of Rs150 cr to Rs200 cr by cultivating narcotics. How can a country have two laws that allow cultivation of drugs in one state and foodgrains in anotherIJ” questioned the deputy CM.
He added that the drugs were pilfering in from across the borders en-route from Pakistan and Afghanistan and it was responsibility of centre and Border Security Forces (BSF) to seal these borders like Mexico border with USA. Badal said that on its part Punjab Police had done a commendable job confiscating huge hauls of drugs and arresting many kingpins. “We request the BSF to strengthen themselves for impenetrable borders. Centre government should install ultra-modern technology and gadgets like CCTV cameras and sensors along with border that do not allow drugs to seep in,” he added. Badal said that on January 5, the SAD was holding a huge dharna at all the three Punjab state borders including Fazilka, Ferozepur and Attari.