CHANDIGARH: Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday claimed that the anti-drug campaign launched by the Punjab government is yielding strong results, forcing traffickers to shift their base to Haryana. Addressing a press conference, he said the crackdown under the leadership of Bhagwant Singh Mann has dismantled major drug networks and increased public participation through the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign, adding that a similar drug menace is now emerging in Haryana.
Cheema alleged that drugs had spread widely in Punjab during the 2007–2017 SAD-BJP regime and claimed that a similar pattern is visible in Haryana under the government led by Nayab Singh Saini. He raised concerns over action against Haryana Police officer Sunil Sandhu following anti-drug operations and questioned what the state government was trying to protect. He also referred to a major heroin seizure in Gujarat, saying it raised serious questions about drug networks in BJP-ruled states.
The Punjab Finance Minister further questioned Saini’s frequent visits to Punjab, asking whether there were attempts to revive drug networks in the state. Reaffirming the government’s stand, Cheema said Punjab would continue its strict action against narcotics and ensure that drug mafias are not allowed to regroup, while stressing that honest officers acting against the menace should be protected.
