‘Peddlers’ attack dead addict’s relatives in Jalandhar, 5 injured

ANTIDRUG DRIVE Family had started campaign after man's death

JALANDHAR :Family members of a deceased ‘drug addict’, who launched an anti-drug campaign after his death on July 7, were injured in a clash here on Wednesday evening. Those injured claimed that they were attacked by local drug smugglers after they started awareness campaign against the drug menace in Cantonment area.

In the attack, five people sustained head injuries and fractures. They were admitted to the civil hospital by the police on Wednesday night.

A 23-year-old drug addict, Ricky Kumar, a resident of Jalandhar Cantonment, died during treatment last week. Following this, his family launched a front against the state government and drug menace.

Vipan Kumar, cousin of the deceased, said he had helped the local police in organising a community meeting to address the drug issue among people. “I had told the police that my family might be attacked and Cantonment police station SHO Sukhbir Singh assured me that he will investigate into it. However, we were attacked the same evening by local smugglers with sticks and sharp-edged weapons.”

“I called the SHO several times for help, but the police arrived after half an hour,” Vipan said.

He said that he has also taken up the matter with Cantonment MLA Pargat Singh.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia visited the civil hospital to interact with the injured family. Kalia said that he has called the commissioner of police Praveen Kumar Sinha twice to apprise him of the incident and involvement of some local Congress leaders in the case, but he did not respond.

“I also called DCP Rajinder Singh later, who assured to investigate the matter thoroughly,” Kalia said. Meanwhile, investigating officer, SHO Sukhbir said, “We have recorded the statement of both the groups and a case will be registered after proper investigation,” the SHO said.