The Union government has sought detailed reports from the Punjab government on three cases involving alleged drug-related violence and the death by suicide of a man whose son was struggling with substance dependence. The move has triggered a political confrontation between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the state’s drug crisis, law and order, and responsibility for curbing narcotics trafficking.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sent three separate communications to Punjab Chief Secretary, seeking details of the action taken in the cases of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh, popularly known as Jhota, who was killed in Mansa on October 13; 40-year-old Bikramjit Singh, who was allegedly murdered by drug peddlers in the Batala area on October 15; and Gulzar Singh, a Dalit man who died by suicide in Dirba, Sangrur district, in September.
The ministry cited the potential law and order implications of the incidents and sought comprehensive reports on the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the action taken by the state administration.
The intervention comes as Punjab approaches its next Assembly election, scheduled for early 2027, with the drug menace emerging as a major political issue. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has promised to make Punjab drug-free by December 2029 if voted to power.
The Centre’s demand for reports also coincided with the state government’s announcement of a 60-day anti-drug strategy targeting 435 identified hotspots through coordinated policing, infrastructure improvements and specialised rehabilitation programmes.
MHA seeks details on three deaths linked to drug-related allegations
One of the MHA’s communications concerns the killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota, an activist who campaigned against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating substances. He was shot dead in broad daylight in Mansa on October 13, triggering protests and raising concerns over the safety of those opposing the drug trade.
The ministry has sought a comprehensive account of the incident, including the steps taken by the Punjab government following the killing. It has also asked the state to report on its implementation of the Vision Document on Narcotics Control for 2026-29, which Shah shared with Mann on August 10. The document outlines strategic priorities and action points towards the national objective of a drug-free India by 2029.
The second communication relates to the death of Gulzar Singh, the father of a young man struggling with substance dependence, in Dirba on September 8. According to allegations cited by the ministry, Gulzar had questioned the availability of synthetic drugs in his area and raised concerns about the drug problem during a government event where he had a public exchange with Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
The MHA referred to allegations that Gulzar faced systematic harassment and pressure from the village panchayat, which purportedly drove him to take his own life. The ministry has sought a detailed report, citing public distress and the possible law and order consequences of the incident. The allegations have not, by themselves, established responsibility for his death.
The third communication concerns the fatal attack on Bikramjit Singh in Mari Panwan village, under the jurisdiction of Sri Hargobindpur police station in the Batala area of Gurdaspur district. The 40-year-old was allegedly attacked by people involved in the narcotics trade on October 15. His two associates, Nishan Singh and Gurmukh Singh, sustained critical injuries.
The MHA has asked the Punjab government to provide a detailed account of the attack and the measures taken in response, noting the alleged connection with narcotics and its potential implications for public order.
Amit Shah accuses Punjab government of failing to curb drugs
The Centre’s intervention was accompanied by a sharp political attack from Shah, who accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of failing to tackle the drug menace and the associated problems of gangsterism and organised crime.
In a post on X, the Union home minister said Punjab was facing a growing threat from narcotics, gangsters and organised criminal networks. Addressing Mann directly, Shah said people wanted answers and results rather than promises and announcements.
He called for decisive action against drug networks and an impartial investigation into any alleged political patronage received by criminals.
The BJP has sought to make the recent killings a central part of its criticism of the state government, arguing that the deaths of people challenging the drug trade raise serious questions about the administration’s ability to protect citizens.
BJP president Nitin Nabin also criticised the AAP government, describing the drug crisis as having reached an alarming level. He questioned how people working against drug abuse could be expected to feel safe when leading voices in society feared for their lives.
Nabin said Punjab’s residents deserved accountability and a government capable of ensuring their safety.
Bhagwant Mann counters Shah over drug seizures at Gujarat ports
Mann responded to Shah’s criticism by accusing the BJP-led Union government of targeting Punjab politically instead of addressing the alleged entry of narcotics through Gujarat’s ports.
The Punjab Chief Minister referred to the seizure of 3,000 kg of synthetic drugs at Kandla port in Gujarat and questioned why the Centre was focusing on Punjab while such large consignments were being intercepted elsewhere.
“Amit Shah ji, you should have consulted your advisers before speaking about me. The 50-km range (from the international border) is with the Border Security Force (BSF). 3,000 kilos of ‘chitta’ (heroin) is being seized from Kandla port in Gujarat,” Mann wrote on X.
He further accused Shah of failing to take responsibility for drug trafficking and criticised what he described as the circulation of pre-written political statements.
“Before blaming Bhagwant Mann, handle your own responsibility. Don’t copy-paste pre-written tweets through your sycophants,” the Chief Minister said.
Mann’s response brought border security and the role of central agencies into the political exchange. The Punjab government has argued that drug trafficking cannot be tackled without addressing the routes through which narcotics enter the country, while the BJP has focused its criticism on the state administration’s handling of the drug problem and public safety.
Arvind Kejriwal targets drug trafficking through Gujarat
AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal also joined the debate, shifting attention towards alleged drug-smuggling routes through BJP-governed states and maritime infrastructure.
Kejriwal urged the Centre to stop drugs entering the country through Gujarat’s Mundra and Adani ports, arguing that action against the supply chain was essential to addressing Punjab’s drug crisis.
“If you care even a tiny bit about Punjab, then stop the drugs coming into the country through Gujarat’s Mundra and Adani ports,” he said.
He maintained that the drug problem had grown under previous governments and argued that a substantial proportion of illicit substances entering Punjab came through ports and routes subject to central oversight.
The remarks added another dimension to the confrontation, with the AAP leadership seeking to counter the BJP’s criticism by questioning the Centre’s own role in tackling narcotics trafficking.
Punjab launches 60-day campaign targeting 435 drug hotspots
Amid the political row, the Punjab government has announced a 60-day anti-drug strategy intended to move beyond individual arrests and target the networks sustaining the illegal trade.
Chief Minister Mann chaired a high-level review of the state’s Yudh Nashean Virudh, or War Against Drugs, campaign at the Punjab Police Academy in Phillaur on Friday. The meeting brought together senior police officers and district administrators to coordinate enforcement and rehabilitation measures.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the strategy would focus on disrupting supply chains, identifying major suppliers and undermining the financial incentives behind drug trafficking. Intelligence inputs, district assessments and information from village defence committees helped identify 435 hotspots across the state.
Authorities have mapped 2,913 listed peddlers and 312 major suppliers in these areas. The campaign will place each zone under the direct supervision of gazetted officers from the police and civil administration.
The strategy also includes infrastructure improvements intended to prevent drug networks from re-establishing their operations. District administrations are expected to coordinate with local government bodies to improve street lighting and install CCTV cameras, while the health department is to expand de-addiction services and rehabilitation support.
The review follows mounting criticism after Jhota’s killing. The state government has said the campaign will combine enforcement with prevention, public participation and treatment for people struggling with addiction.
Separately, the Punjab Chemists Association has called for stricter compliance with rules governing the sale of narcotic and psychotropic medicines. Following the recent violence, the association warned chemists against selling such medicines without valid prescriptions and said it would support only those operating within the law.
The Centre’s requests for reports and the exchange between Shah and Mann have intensified scrutiny of Punjab’s response to drug abuse and trafficking. The state government’s 60-day campaign will now be assessed against demands for stronger action against suppliers, better protection for people challenging the drug trade and effective support for families affected by substance dependence.