Attari (Punjab), Jan 5 (IANS) Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal Monday said a "big conspiracy" was being hatched against the state and Punjabis by labelling them as addicted to drugs.
Addressing the first of three protest rallies against drugs at Attari, just two km from the India-Pakistan international border checkpost, he said the propaganda on labelling Punjab as an addicted state was hatched by the Congress.
"There is a big conspiracy that I see in all this," Badal, whois also the Shiromani Akali Dal president, told thousands who had gathered for the rally here, 30 km from Amritsar.
"The Congress is behind this whole propaganda. The Punjab government is determined to fight against the menace of drugs and also against the malicious propaganda," he said.
"Rahul Gandhi was the first one to make the drugs allegation against Punjabis. The Congress leadership is responsible for labelling Punjab as a state addicted to drugs," Badal said.
He said the highest seizures of drugs and the maximum arrests of those in the drugs trade were made during the tenure of the present Punjab government.
"Instead of thanking us for our campaign against drugs, we are being blamed," Badal said.
He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seal the entire border with Pakistan with the use of technology as the United States had done with the border with Mexico.
"This protest is not against the BSF (Border Security Force) or any other agency. We are fighting against the drugs coming from Afghanistan-Pakistan and from other states. We will continue our fight against drugs," Badal said.
He added that drugs were transiting from Punjab and that the state was not a consumer.
"Drugs are transiting from Punjab, and are not consumed here. Heroin and other (expensive) drugs are not consumed in Punjab but in Goa and other places. Rave parties in Mumbai, Goa, Pune and Gurgaon take place openly," Badal said.
"But no arrests are made. We are catching those running the drugs rackets and we only are being blamed for the drugs mess," Badal said.
He pointed out that other states were encouraging cultivation and production of drugs.
"These states earn crores of rupees from drugs cultivation. This is being done openly in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and other states, but no action is taken," Badal said.
"We cannot have two laws in the country where some states encourage drugs production and Punjab is blamed. The Centre must do something about it," Badal said.
He said Punjab Police have made arrests of those in the drugs trade in the state and several other states.
The Akali Dal is organising similar dharnas along the India-Pakistan international border in Ferozepur and Fazilka districts.
Indian-American MP Raja Krishnamurthy said Pakistan's ISI considers America as an enemy
Indian-American lawmaker Raja Krishnamurthy targeted Pakistan's terrorist activities. Krishnamurt
Due to the increasing tension between India and Pakistan, many Pakistani people are unfollowing I
England has won the four-match T20 series 2-0. In the last T20 International match, England defea
Today once again hearing in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case was held in the Supreme Court. This
Haryana BJP retracting on poll promises: AAP (Lead)
Gurgaon, Jan 8 (IANS) Senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav Thursday said here that the state BJP go
Shimla, Manali Wrapped up in Snow Again
Shimla, Jan 14 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh's capital Shimla and popular tourist resort Manali Wedne
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shared a tweet on Monday on the death of B. Saroja Devi, ex
After a statement by Karnataka BJP President Naleen Kumar Kateel, now the controversy may increas
Today Prime Minister Narendra Modi has performed Bhoomi Pujan for the construction of the new Par
Frightened to recapture its power over Taiwan, China has again infiltrated its border. China sent
