Home Minister Amit Shah visited Punjab on Tuesday to meet the families of three individuals who allegedly lost their lives while fighting against drug trafficking in the state. During his visit, Shah met the family of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur, Gulzar Singh’s family in Sangrur, and the family of Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. Jhota was reportedly shot dead the previous week.

Shah conveyed his condolences to Bikramjit Singh’s family, stating, “Today, at the residence of the family of late Bikramjit Singh ji, who lost his life for raising his voice against the unchecked drug trade in Punjab under the AAP government, I met them in Gurdaspur and expressed my condolences.” He offered prayers for the strength of the bereaved families.

Criticism of AAP Govt Over Drug Issues

During his interactions, Shah directed strong criticism towards the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Bhagwant Mann, particularly concerning the escalating drug crisis in Punjab. He remarked, “The growing web of drugs in Punjab and the emboldened drug traffickers have raised serious questions about the functioning of the AAP government.”

Shah highlighted the dual crisis facing the state, where youth are increasingly falling prey to drugs while those who speak out against this issue find themselves in danger. Shah further asserted the commitment of the central government to eradicate drugs from Punjab and the entire country, stating, “We are committed to making Punjab, along with the whole of India, drug-free and securing the future of our youth.”

His comments come at a time when the state is preparing for assembly elections, intensifying the political stakes surrounding the drug issue. Shah’s visit to the families of the victims also included a meeting with the family of Gulzar Singh, who reportedly took his own life after facing intimidation for questioning a Punjab minister about the open sale of synthetic drugs known as “chitta.” This incident has added further complexity to the ongoing debate about drug trafficking and the safety of activists in Punjab.

Political Tensions Surrounding Jhota’s Murder

The backdrop of Shah’s visit was marked by the political controversy surrounding the murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota. Hours before Shah’s arrival, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the transfer of Jhota’s case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Jhota was known for his activism against the illegal sale of addictive substances at pharmacies and was shot inside a medical store in Mansa on October 13.

Reports indicate that the store owner, Ashwani Kumar, allegedly opened fire on Jhota after he confronted him about selling addictive drugs to an elderly customer. The incident occurred while Jhota was live-streaming on Facebook, drawing significant public attention. Kumar has since been apprehended in Rajasthan’s Salasar.

The murder of Jhota has ignited a political firestorm in Punjab, a state that is set to hold assembly elections early next year. Shah’s visits to Gurdaspur, Sangrur, and Mansa have brought the issues of drug trafficking and the safety of anti-drug activists into sharp focus, highlighting the urgent need for effective governance in the region.

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