The alarming deaths of four youths, all in their mid-twenties, within just 48 hours in Lakho ke Behram village along the Ferozepur–Fazilka road, have once again exposed the deep-rooted drug menace in Punjab. Punjab’s Battle Against Drugs – Why the War is Failing is starkly evident in this tragedy, which should have been an isolated incident but instead serves as a grim reminder of how successive governments, including the present one, have repeatedly failed to eliminate the illegal drug trade from the state. Families of the deceased were left shattered, mourning not only their loved ones but also cursing a system that has allowed narcotics to penetrate so deeply into Punjab’s social fabric.
Drugs Flow Freely Despite Government Claims
Despite tall claims, grand announcements, and repeated promises by the ruling establishment, drugs remain as freely available in Punjab’s villages as common commodities. The latest incident shows that even with frequent crackdowns and “special operations” by the police, the supply chain of narcotics continues.
For grieving families, these operations feel like eyewash. The availability of drugs has not diminished. Four young lives lost in just two days illustrates the scale of the problem and the helplessness of the state machinery.
Villagers Express Anger and Distrust
The tragedy has sparked outrage and anguish across the region. Villagers openly question the government’s sincerity. “If drugs can reach a remote village like ours so easily, what are the police doing?” lamented one relative of the victims.
Such sentiments are becoming common in Punjab. Every overdose death fuels anger against political leaders who have made drugs a central election issue, yet failed to act beyond rhetoric.
Nexus of Smugglers, Officials, and Politics
Experts say the nexus between drug smugglers, corrupt officials, and political patronage is one of the main reasons behind the government’s inability to root out the problem. With Punjab’s geographical location close to the international border, the state has long been vulnerable to narcotic inflow.
Instead of creating strong deterrence, political leadership appears trapped in vote-bank politics and blame games. Meanwhile, the younger generation continues to pay the ultimate price.
A Battle Punjab May Already Be Losing
The ongoing crisis raises a haunting question — has Punjab already lost its battle against drugs? The government often projects figures of seizures, arrests, and awareness drives. Yet, the ground reality tells a very different story.
Each overdose death proves that drugs remain easily accessible. The deaths in Lakho ke Behram village now stand as a chilling symbol of this failure. Punjab’s Battle Against Drugs – Why the War is Failing is not just a headline, but a reality witnessed daily.
What Punjab Needs Now
If this issue is not addressed with urgency, Punjab risks losing yet another generation to drugs. The time for promises has long passed. What the state needs is accountability, transparency, and a ruthless crackdown on supply chains thriving under political shadows.
Until then, tragic stories like that of the four youths from Ferozepur-Fazilka will continue to haunt Punjab, turning the state’s so-called fight against drugs into a cruel mockery.