Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the leader of the Punjab Congress, has openly addressed the alarming drug crisis in Punjab, levelling accusations against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for inadequately managing the situation. During a press conference held on August 22, Warring underscored the severity of drug addiction in the state, asserting that narcotics are being delivered discreetly to homes, akin to takeout food such as pizza and burgers. He described a single pouch of drugs being sold at a significant price of ₹3,500.

Warring’s Criticism of Government Response

Warring expressed concern that the state government is attempting to divert attention from the escalating drug issue, insisting it remains a critical problem. He cited that wherever one travels—be it villages or cities—the common plea from residents is to safeguard the youth from addiction. Warring highlighted that, contrary to the government’s promises to eliminate drugs within three months, the reality has worsened, with reported drug use increasing fourfold. He emphasised the urgency of the situation by noting that between August 14 and August 20, seven to eight deaths had already been attributed to drug abuse.

Raising questions about the effectiveness of Punjab’s drug policies, Warring challenged the accountability of the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) and the Chief Minister in combating this menace. He sought clarity regarding the spending on anti-drug initiatives and questioned the tangible actions undertaken against local police officials. According to Warring, the government’s failure to address the issue has been detrimental, as the public remains uninformed while local law enforcement allegedly suppresses reports of drug-related incidents.

Accountability and Investigations in Drug-Related Deaths

Warring also called for accountability regarding the commitments made by the DGP and Chief Minister Manc before May 31, 2025. He referred to previous statements promising that local SSPs and Police Commissioners would be held responsible for any drug-related deaths. During the press conference, he pressed for transparency by asking which specific SSPs have faced actions following reported incidents of drug deaths.

Highlighting the alleged complicity in information suppression, Warring argued that the DGP has not released any public statements regarding the increasing drug crisis. He claimed that substantial financial resources have been allocated to anti-drug campaigns; however, the effectiveness of these campaigns is questionable given the lack of visible progress. He further alleged that if any drug-related case is reported, local officers have been known to delete information to prevent negative publicity for the state.”

This pointed critique comes as Punjab grapples with a persistent drug menace, with calls for more robust measures and accountability from those in power. Warring’s comments underline the pressing need for effective governance to address the concerns surrounding substance abuse, which affects countless families across the state.

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