Mann hits back at Shah over drugs, asks Centre to take responsibility for Gujarat seizure

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday accused the BJP-led Centre of attempting to defame Punjab over the drug menace while failing to prevent narcotics trafficking through Gujarat's ports and international borders. He asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take responsibility for the reported seizure of 3,000 kg of synthetic drugs at Kandla port.

Speaking to reporters in Phillaur after chairing a high-level review meeting of the state government's anti-drug campaign, 'Yudh Nashian Virudh', Mann said his administration was taking stringent action against drug smugglers and traffickers, including demolishing properties allegedly constructed using proceeds from the narcotics trade.

The meeting was attended by Senior Superintendents of Police, Deputy Superintendents of Police, Deputy Inspectors General of various police ranges and Inspectors General. Mann said the government was strengthening the police force with new vehicles and modern equipment to intensify operations against drug networks.

His remarks came amid escalating political exchanges over the drug problem in Punjab, where Assembly elections are scheduled for early next year.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗻 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲

The chief minister's response followed Shah's remarks earlier on Friday that Punjab was facing an increasing threat from drugs, gangsterism and organised crime.

In a post on X, the Union Home Minister questioned who would ultimately take responsibility for the safety of Punjab's residents.

Shah also said the Centre would seek the state government's response concerning two incidents: a father allegedly consuming poison under pressure in Dirba and the daylight killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.

Flanked by Punjab ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Aman Arora, Mann said he had already responded to Shah's allegations on social media.

In a Punjabi-language post, Mann referred to the reported seizure of 3,000 kg of 'chitta', a term commonly used for synthetic drugs, at Gujarat's Kandla port and questioned the Centre's accountability.

He reminded Shah that the Border Security Force (BSF), which operates under the Union Home Ministry, has jurisdiction extending 50 km from the international border in Punjab.

"Amit Shah, you should have consulted with your advisors before speaking about me. The BSF has jurisdiction over a 50-km range... 3,000 kg of 'chitta' are being seized at the Kandla port in Gujarat. Before blaming Bhagwant Mann, take responsibility for your own duties," Mann said.

He also accused Shah of relying on politically motivated social media statements.

𝗕𝗝𝗣 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝘂𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗯

Questioning the Centre's handling of cross-border drug trafficking, Mann argued that the Union government could not escape responsibility when narcotics entered India from Pakistan.

"If drugs come from Pakistan, under whom does the BSF come? It is under the Union Home Ministry. If drugs are caught in Gujarat, whose government is in power there? It is BJP. Before blaming others, they should look within," he said.

The chief minister also questioned the BJP's record during the 2007-2017 period, when Punjab was governed by the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance.

He alleged that the party was attempting to portray Punjab negatively for political advantage ahead of the Assembly elections.

"Amit Shah should think before defaming Punjab," Mann said.

The chief minister maintained that his government was pursuing drug traffickers through sustained enforcement action and strengthening police capabilities to dismantle narcotics networks.

𝗖𝗠 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗕𝗜 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘀

Responding to another question, Mann alleged that the Centre would intensify action against Opposition leaders as Punjab approached the Assembly elections.

He predicted that investigative agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation, would conduct raids against political opponents over the coming months.

"Elections are near; now for the next few months this will go on. They will conduct CBI raids, which means polls are near," he said.

Mann alleged that similar tactics had been employed in West Bengal, Bihar, Delhi and Haryana.

"They did so in West Bengal, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana... Let them do it, people of Punjab will give reply," he added.

The chief minister expressed confidence that voters would respond to what he described as politically motivated actions by central agencies.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗻 𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗵𝗶 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Mann also criticised the Centre over police action against Opposition parties and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) during demonstrations in the national capital.

He alleged that people questioning the Election Commission were being subjected to police violence and detention.

The chief minister accused the BJP-led government of effectively placing Delhi under lockdown to prevent demonstrators from gathering.

He claimed that approximately 70,000 police personnel had been deployed to prevent people from outside Delhi from entering the city.

According to Mann, the restrictions resembled an Emergency-like situation, with authorities attempting to prevent citizens from exercising their right to protest.

"But if anyone enters, they put them in jail," he alleged.

His comments came amid heightened security arrangements in Delhi following demonstrations over alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revisions and demands for accountability from the Election Commission.

The Punjab chief minister's remarks underscored the widening political confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP over narcotics enforcement, the use of central investigative agencies and restrictions on public protests ahead of the state's Assembly elections.