Two villages in Kapurthala struggle to shake off drug taint

Despite efforts of residents of Boot and Latiya village, famous as ‘village of drug addicts’, there has been a rise in drug recoveries and related first information reports (FIRs) in past three months.

Despite the state government’s instructions to root out the drug menace the number of cases have increased compared to last year.

As many as 16 FIRs were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Boot village and 24 FIRs in Latiya village, highest in a village from the district, on charges of drug peddling after March till today.

A total of 19 cases under NDPS Act in Boot village and one first information report from Latiya village, were registered in first six months in 2016.

The villagers here had submitted affidavits to senior superintendent of police (SSP) SK Sharma in a public meeting. They had vowed to end the menace from the villages and not allow drugs and peddlers in the area.

Locals, however, alleged that police are deliberately arresting drug addicts to increase their target owing to the special crackdown launched after state government’s directions in March.

SSP SK Sharma said, “80% peddlers have quit smuggling drugs in these villages. We have been conducting surprise inspections at these villages.” “Locals told us that people involved in smuggling are behind bars or have left the village,”Sharma said.

Sunita Devi (name changed) of Boot village whose husband was arrested by police with 110 intoxicant tablets said, “My husband was not a drug peddler.He was addicted to drugs and had attempted to quit a few months back.”

“But police had picked him from the house on March 25 and later showed his arrest from a naka with tablets,” she claimed.

As per data from the police department 225 gm intoxicant powder, 595 tablets from Boot village,82gm heroin and 250 gm intoxicant powder along with 220 tablets from Latiya village has been recovered till now.

The recoveries have been made during the special drive launched from March 17.

Boot Akali sarpanch, Gurdev Singh said, “In 2014 Boot with 47 first information reports (FIR) under the NDPS , had the highest number of cases from a single village.”

“The situation is changing now. The new generation is educated and wants to remain away from the menace.” he said.

The Maqsooda police arrested Jaswant Singh ,21, of Boota village in Kapurthala and recovered 35gm intoxicant powder from their possession from a checking point near Lidra bridge in Jalandhar on Thursday.

In another case, Shinder Singh of Boota village in Kapurthala was arrested with 100gm intoxicant powder.

› counterclaim 80% peddlers have quit smuggling drugs in these villages. We have been conducting surprise inspections at these villages.

SK SHARMA , SSP