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.
There is good news for people planning to travel from India to Thailand. They will no longer need
Corona returns in China: calls for more than 30 thousand ambulances daily, long queues for funerals
Once again there has been a huge explosion of Corona in China. Despite the Zero Covid policy, the
Shah's Rally Raises Storm in Punjab Politics
Chandigarh, Jan 16 (IANS) Even before it has been held, BJP president Amit Shah's rally in Amri
'Even Trump's tariff attack cannot stop India's speed', an American agency gives a surprising reason
US President Donald Trump has imposed heavy tariffs on Indian imports. After this, Indian exporte
Incidents of bomb threats to Indian airlines are continuing. In the last 24 hours, three planes h
Because of the defense challenges of the country, the army has intensified the preparations. Army
Big blow to AAP leader Satyendar Jain, the court rejects bail plea in money laundering case
Minister in the Delhi government and Aam Aadmi Party leader Satyendar Jain has received a major s
Attitude toward women is changing: Activists
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) There has been a change in the attitude towards women and on the gender
A surprising case has come to light in Iran. A case of poisoning hundreds of girls to prevent gir
Chhath, the great festival of folk faith, is starting today (5 November). Starting with Nahai-Kha
