HighLights
  1. Video shows 12-year-old consuming drugs in Kapurthala.
  2. Opposition slams AAP government over Punjab's drug menace.
  3. Drug crisis becomes major poll agenda for upcoming elections.

Punjab Drug Menace: A video emerged on social media which purportedly shows a 12-year-old boy consuming drugs in Punjab's Kapurthala. The video is being shared by the Opposition leaders to attack the Bhagwant Mann government over the drug menace. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal slammed the AAP government, claiming the 'Yudh Youth Virudh' initiative has been ineffective.

The development comes at a time when the state government is under fire over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. However, The Daily Jagran does not independently verify the authenticity of the viral video. NDTV reported that the child was admitted to hospital after the video went viral.

ALSO READ: Parvinder Jhota Murder Probe To Be Handed Over To CBI: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's Big Announcement Amid Protests

Badal Lambasts CM Mann

In her X post, Mann lambasted Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, saying that under his leadership, drugs were not just a crisis anymore; it was the complete, systemic destruction of Punjab’s future.

"This horrifying sight is that of a 10-year-old child from Kapurthala snorting drugs with a tin foil and a lighter in hand like an expert..Drugs isn’t just a crisis anymore, it is the complete, systemic destruction of Punjab’s future under your watch, Guru Dokhi
@BhagwantMann ! That’s why we have been repeatedly saying that @AamAadmiParty launched 'Yudh Youth Virudh' in Punjab and today it’s seeped down to this level! @AAPPunjab is giving a free rein to the drug mafia to target our most vulnerable, impoverished children. This is an unforgivable betrayal of Punjab’s Mawan-Dhiyan," her X post read.

ALSO READ: Punjab On Edge: Another Anti-Drug Activist Killed Days After Parvinder Jhota's Murder Amid Police Crackdown On Drugs

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Congress Seeks Answer From Mann Govt

Another Opposition party, Congress, also slammed Mann in an X post. Sharing the video, the grand old party questioned the Punjab government's anti-drug campaign. It said the government and police must answer on the prevailing situation.

"A video from Kapurthala showing a young child allegedly consuming drugs raises disturbing questions about Punjab’s anti-drug campaign. Bhagwant Mann Govt and Punjab Police must answer: If children are falling prey to drugs, what concrete action is being taken to stop the supply and protect Punjab’s future? Promises aren’t enough. Punjab needs results," said the Punjab Congress in an X post.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has also been vocal on the drug issue. Sharing another video of youth consuming drugs, the saffron party posted, " Drugs have ravaged Punjab; Bhagwant Mann's tenure has swallowed the youth."

Outrage Over Anti-Drug Activist's Murder

Meanwhile, the government has been facing severe criticism over the recent killing of anti-drug activist Jhota. The activist was shot dead in broad daylight inside the medical store at a busy marketplace in Mansa on October 13, triggering a huge political outrage in the election-bound state.

Drug Menace Set To Be Major Poll Agenda

With the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s continuous agitations against the government over drug menace, it is clear that the Opposition parties are set to make the issue a major poll agenda in the upcoming assembly elections.

Last month, the BJP held a 13-day state-wide "Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra", which concluded in Jalandhar on September 30, targeting the chitta (drug) crisis.


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