Amritsar: Punjab BJP spokesperson and Sikh thinker Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala launched a sharp attack on the Bhagwant Mann government over the reported killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, saying the incident had exposed the hollowness of AAP’s much-publicised war against drugs and raised grave questions about law and order in Punjab.“AAP came to power promising to eliminate drugs within three months. Today, the question is not merely whether the government has failed to eradicate drugs, but whether it can even protect the people who dare to stand up against the menace. What happened to the government’s tall promises?” Prof. Khiala asked.
He said the reported killing of Jhota was a grim reminder that slogans, publicity campaigns and arrest figures could not substitute for effective governance. The government could not claim success merely by announcing raids and arrests while questions persisted over drug availability, trafficking networks and the safety of those raising their voices against the menace.
Prof. Khiala cited the alleged police torture of Mohanjit Singh Sheron, who had shown black flags to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the drug issue, and the suicide of Gulzar Singh, who had questioned Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the suffering caused by his son’s drug addiction. These cases, he said, had raised serious questions about the government’s sensitivity, accountability and response to the concerns of drug-affected families.
“When citizens protesting against drugs face insecurity, families devastated by addiction struggle for answers, and an anti-drug activist is reportedly shot dead, the government cannot escape responsibility by holding meetings or issuing statements. Punjab needs accountability, not another round of publicity.” he said.
He questioned whether the state government had an effective system to protect anti-drug activists, respond promptly to complaints and act against suspected illegal drug sales. He also asked whether the police and the Drug Control Department were coordinating effectively to investigate the alleged illegal sale of medicines and dismantle local drug distribution networks.
Prof. Khiala said that counting arrests was not the same as winning the war against drugs. The government must demonstrate tangible results against major traffickers, their financial networks, cross-border smuggling routes and local supply chains. It must also publish credible information on changes in drug availability and the rehabilitation of people battling addiction.
Demanding an immediate, impartial and time-bound investigation into Jhota’s killing, he said all those found responsible, including anyone involved in a conspiracy, must face strict legal action without political or administrative interference. He also called for proper medical treatment and protection for Jhota’s associate, who was reportedly seriously injured, and effective security arrangements for anti-drug activists and affected families.
Prof. Khiala said the AAP government must stop using the drug crisis as a political slogan and start delivering measurable results. “Bhagwant Mann cannot claim credit for a drug-free Punjab while escaping questions about the safety of those fighting drugs. The people of Punjab deserve to know who will take responsibility for protecting their lives and who will answer for the failure to fulfil AAP’s promises. The time for slogans is over; the time for accountability has arrived.”