DRUGS HAVE ENTERED SCHOOLS, AVAILABLE LIKE GROCERY ITEMS IN PUNJAB: GOVERNOR

How grave is the drug issue in Punjab, could be judged that Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit states, “Drugs are available in Punjab like a grocery item.” Chandigarh Administrator and Governor of Punjab Purohit are on a visit to Punjab’s Borders areas.

“Situation is such that if we go to villages, locals say drugs are available like grocery items at general stores. Police might not be aware but villagers know. They told me,” Purohit said while interacting with the media in Pathankot and Amritsar. Purohit also asked the ruling government AAP to seek Centre’s help to curb the menace.

“It is a matter of worry. It is not accessible by adults only. Drugs have entered schools and children are getting addicted. Parents are feeling helpless. Some children get addicted to the extent that they start stealing in their homes. They get trapped in clutches of gangs who are dominating,” Purohit said in Pathankot on Wednesday.

Raising concern, he said, “Had it been a small thing, would I have been going and touring districts. I say this on their face that the police department is also affected. The jails are not in their control. There is a need for a lot of improvement. They put them (criminals) in jails and from there they control the mafia,” he said.

The Governor, along with Chief Secretary V.K. Janjua and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, said, “Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police are with me. We need to do something. Even the Centre has a responsibility to tackle this. If the Punjab government is lacking in something, then it must ask for help from the Centre. This should not be taken lightly, we have to stop it at all costs,” he added. The Governor also asked DGP Yadav to remove the “black sheep” from the police department who are having a connivance with drug peddlers.