Drug smugglers hiding in neighbouring states: CM

Amarinder says Delhi fast becoming safe haven for drug smugglers; seeks cooperation of Haryana, HP and Rajasthan counterparts

URGES RAJNATH TO ADVISE DELHI POLICE TO WORK IN COORDINATION WITH PUNJAB POLICE TO CHECK DRUG SMUGGLING

CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh has sought the cooperation of his counterparts in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, as well as the Union home minister to whom the Delhi Police reports, in controlling the cultivation and smuggling of narcotics and also ensuring that no safe havens are allowed to drug peddlers and smugglers in their respective states.

In his letter to home minister Rajnath Singh, the CM said as per information, drug peddlers and smugglers had disappeared from Punjab and were hiding in the neighbouring states. Apart from smuggling from across the international border, there were reports about smuggling of drugs to Punjab through the neighbouring states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi, he said, adding that the plantation of drugs was also a cause of worry for his state as a lot of the produce was being exported from the drug growing states.

“Since the UT of Delhi, which as per information is fast becoming a safe haven for drug peddlers and smugglers, is under the direct control and supervision of the home ministry, I seek your indulgence in the matter for directing the Delhi Police to formulate an effective strategy to check and control drug peddling and smuggling,” he wrote.

The CM urged Rajnath to advise Delhi Police to work in close coordination with the police of the neighbouring states, including the Punjab Police, in their endeavour to obliterate drugs from the society.

He has also written separate letters to Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur and Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje about the drug problem.

Noting that drug abuse was seriously threatening the future of next generation, Amarinder said that while he was committed not to let this happen, he would urge them, too, to extend their full and active support in formulating and implementing measures being taken by Punjab to check the menace. He has requested each of them to advise the enforcement agencies, including the police, of their respective states to coordinate with the Punjab Police to make joint efforts in curbing the drug menace.

He requested the chief ministers to impress upon the centre for a national policy on prevention and control on drug abuse which was necessary to regulate and prevent drugs in the country as well as for cooperation and coordination among the neighbouring states.