Punjab’s drug menace: AAP blames Centre for failing to curb cross-border smuggling

AAP blames BJP-led Central Government for failing to curb drug smuggling in Punjab, intensifies efforts against drug peddlers.

As the drug menace continues to plague Punjab, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the State on Friday (February 28, 2025) blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Government at the Centre for failing to curb drug smuggling from across the international border from Pakistan and instead illogically holding Punjab responsible for the same.

AAP Punjab president Aman Arora, who is also Cabinet Minister in the government, said that despite the area up to 50 km along the international border being under the jurisdiction of Border Security Force, drug smuggling from across the border has not been stopped till now. He said that the BJP-led Central Government held the responsibility for the perponderance of cross-border drug smuggling but instead were illogically holding the State responsible for the same. He was speaking about approaching the Central Government demanding a complete check on drug smuggling from across the border, during a joint press conference here.

A cabinet sub-committee has been formed to intensify efforts, working with civil and police administration to ensure strict action against drug peddlers across Punjab.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who is also party of the committee, said the Government has launched a major campaign over the past three years to eradicate drugs from the State and the campaign is in final stage, with bulldozers targeting the houses of drug peddlers, ensuring that no individual involved in the drug trade, regardless of their position or influence, is spared.

Accusing the previous Government of Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance and the Congress party of pushing Punjab’s youth towards drugs during their respective tenures from 2002 to 2022, Mr. Cheema said during the AAP regime around 12,000 FIRs have been registered under the NDPS Act, with only 24 individuals granted defaulter bail - a significant improvement from previous governments where political influence often led to defaulter bail for drug smugglers.