Page 23 - Tehelka Issue 14E

CoverStory DRUG MENACE

Any change in your perspective bureaus. Their mandate is clear measures? Definitely, the recent
on handling of drugs issue in the — they have to get to the bottom of spate of drug deaths prompted our
state since you took over its reins this drug trade come what may, and decisions. But, let me make it clear,
15 months ago? ensure that Punjab becomes drug- these decisions are not defensive.
I don’t know what you mean by free, once and for all. Rather they are among the sternest
change in perspective. If anything, measures any government can take
my resolve to wipe out the men- How do you think your ideas of to tackle such a heinous problem,
ace and save our kids from drugs death penalty to first time offend- short of the kind of summary
has strengthened further. These ers; mandatory dope test could punishments doled out in certain
drug smugglers and peddlers have make difference? countries.
ruined our state and our future gen- More than anything, I feel these
eration. I will not let this continue, will become deterrents for those Your government’s action plan
come what may. This is a promise I tempted by the easy money to take since coming to power reportedly
made to myself before the Assembly on drug trading. They will know resulted in arrests of over 18,000
elections and I stick by it. that even one mistake, or one step drug peddlers; treatment of over
in the direction of drugs, will led 2 lakh addicts. Still what do you
Major allegation by the Opposition them to the gallows. The message think is lacking?
is that big fish in drugs trade still will go down loud and clear — this You’ve yourself given the numbers.
out of net. Is it so? is too serious a crime for us to allow Going by these numbers, the one
Some have fled the country, but thing that is definitely not lacking
they are on our radar, and the is the will to wipe out the menace.
STF and state police, along with ‘I had set up STF Resources were lacking for the STF
other state and central government with the single and since our financial situation
agencies, are pursuing them. I have did not permit us to make the same
made it clear to them — chase these purpose of available to them, we decided to
criminals to the other corner of the put the resources of our police
world, if need be, but I want them breaking the force at their disposal. Nothing, I
back to face punishment for their backbone of drugs. repeat, nothing will be allowed to
deeds. We will not allow them to go come between my government’s
scot-free. We owe this to ourselves, And for this, I gave resolve and elimination of the drug
and more importantly to our them a free hand’ problem.
CM has ordered children.
drug tests for all How do you view the way
government staff
INTERVIEW It is being alleged that the wings Opposition is flagging the issue?
STF set up for the purpose are you even one deviation from the How are they flagging it? It is the
clipped and it’s not being allowed law. I am sure this will instil a sense Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi,
CM ASSURES END TO Your take on this? drug criminals. As for the manda- ago. The Opposition is the one
to get at bottom of the drug trade.
which flagged the issue three years
of fear in the minds of prospective
There is no question of clipping
tory dope test, it will convey that
which has been responsible for the
mess in the first place.
anyone doing drugs, even for fun,
their wings. I had set up STF with
DRUG ABUSE IN PUNJAB the single-minded purpose of will stand to lose their chances of passive connivance, allowed the
The Akalis, by their active or
getting a job, in the first place, or be-
breaking the backbone of drugs.
ing obstructed in their career pro-
And for this, I gave them a free
drug mafia to flourish in the 10
hand, which they used the power to
the fullest to bring the drug mafia gression. I know these are strong years of their rule. As far as AAP is
concerned, there have been several
measures but then the situation, in
to its knees and push drugs out of my opinion, merits strong steps. cases and allegations of some of
Estimates vary but by some accounts as many as two-thirds of households in Punjab have the reach of our youth. Recently, their top leaders in Punjab being
a drug addict in their midst. Prisons in the state are overcrowded with drug-users and we decided to bring them under The recent responses of your involved in drugs. What they are
now doing is trying to take political
government are being seen more
the purview of the Punjab Police to
peddlers. Streets and farms too witness the easy availability of narcotics and opiates. Last enable them to have recourse to all as defensive after the issue re- mileage from the issue. It’s sad that
year the government arrested 18,977 peddlers and treated some two lakh addicts. the manpower and other resources turned to focus due to recent spate the Opposition is trying to exploit
such a serious and sensitive issue to
that are at the disposal of the force.
of deaths. Do you apprehend losing
PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER AMARINDER SINGH discusses with RAJU WILLIAM his action However, they will still continue to political ground? their advantage.
plan to save the state from the clutches of drug abuses. operate as an independent agency – Do you call death penalty or
like the Vigilance or the Intelligence mandatory dope test defensive LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM
TEHELKA / 31 JULY 2018 22 WWW.TEHELKA.COM TEHELKA / 31 JULY 2018 23 WWW.TEHELKA.COM
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