In Bhatinda, the problem of drug smuggling in the area has now brought the police and the general public face to face. Although police have stated that it is illegal because it is their job to conduct investigations, groups of locals have been observed monitoring the area at night in an attempt to halt the drug supply. In remote places, it was mandatory for women, children, and men to patrol the streets late at night in order to apprehend drug smugglers. Women in Bathinda are holding a nightly vigil.
“Drug smuggling is taking place secretly. There is a lot of cheating going on. This is the work of the government, if they want, can shut down this smuggling in a minute but they are not doing so. Drug smugglers supply drugs at night. Police do not take any action, hence the villagers have started a campaign of blockade and patrolling at night,” a woman from the Bhatinda said.
However, Bhatinda Range ADGP, Surinderpal Singh Parmar has said that nobody has the right to take the law in their hand. It is the Police’s duty to investigate anyone. “Nobody is allowed to take the law in their hands. If you are fond of stopping and searching people by creating blockades, then join the police. Action will be taken against unnecessarily stopping and searching people at night,” he said.
He further said that people being searched unnecessarily, is wrong. “This is the job of the police, it is the job of the people to inform the police and not to take the law into their own hands.” However, the locals say this effort is needed to keep a check on rampant drug smuggling.
“People from outside villages come here and smuggle drugs, which gives a bad name. To stop them, we have formed a committee so that people can be shown the right direction. We only interrogate, only those on whom we have complete suspicion are searched” a local resident of Bhatinda said.
