Warring targets state, Centre over Punjab drug menace

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Sunday accused both the state and central govts of failing to curb the drug menace in Punjab.Describing drug addiction as the most serious challenge facing the state, he said the political blame game could no longer be a substitute for concrete action.Addressing the third session of his “Warring with Warriors” live interaction with Congress workers, Warring said the party would take the fight against drugs to the grassroots and work with families affected by addiction and drug-related deaths.“Laggi nazar Punjab nu, ehdi nazar utaar lo” he said, questioning the claims of a “Rangla Punjab”.Citing examples from Muktsar, Amritsar and Ludhiana districts, he alleged that 400 to 500 households in a Ludhiana village were involved in selling “chitta”.He also questioned the accountability mechanism announced for district police chiefs in cases of drug-related deaths, asking how many SSPs or police commissioners had been held responsible. He claimed seven overdose deaths had occurred between Aug 14 and 20 in seven Malwa districts and sought to know whether action had been taken.