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.
A Palestinian baby girl born 17 days earlier was killed during the Gaza war. The newborn girl was
England defeated India by 22 runs. On the last day of the Lord's Test on Monday, the hosts bowled
The seat-sharing has been done among the triangular alliance for the Punjab Assembly elections. B
Today, the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings will be played at Ma
Satyendar Jain Case: The problems of Delhi's Health Minister Satyendar Jain are not taking the na
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed the job fair in Panaji, Goa today. He said job f
DU Final Year / Semester Exam 2021: University of Delhi has announced to hold the final year and
MS Dhoni showered his love for CSK amidst talks of retirement, said- I will always be with them.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's future in IPL is being discussed continuously. Many reports claimed that M
CAA, Ram temple, 370 and triple divorce- PM Modi presented first year report card
new Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Narendra Modi) has written a letter to the nation on Sat
Stones were pelted at the Vande Bharat train in Malda, West Bengal on Monday night. The incident
