Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday tore into the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance and the Congress for pushing Punjab towards destruction by allowing drugs and gangsterism to flourish during their respective tenures. He asserted that while the Bhagwant Mann government is waging a decisive battle against drugs and organised crime, the BJP is indulging in politics over drug-related deaths instead of addressing the problem in states ruled by it.
Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “Between 2007 and 2017, the Akali Dal-BJP government brought a flood of chitta, other drugs and gangsterism to Punjab. These two parties, along with the Congress, left no stone unturned in damaging the state. The Congress came to power in 2017 promising to act against the drug menace, but continued the same practices during its 5-year tenure from 2017 to 2022.”
He emphasised, “Since forming the government, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has consistently acted against drugs and gangsters. The Bhagwant Mann government constituted the Anti-Gangster Task Force soon after taking office, conducted extensive raids, arrested criminals involved in multiple offences and recovered illegal weapons. The force has also worked to bring back criminals who fled abroad to evade the law. According to the figures, 2,105 proclaimed offenders (POs) have been apprehended, while 81,499 individuals have been arrested in action against gangsters and crime.”
Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “The Bhagwant Mann government launched Yudh Nashean Virudh and strengthened enforcement by incorporating anti-drone systems at the border. From March 31, 2025, onwards, the state has registered 68,545 drug-related cases and arrested nearly 90,000 accused.”
The senior AAP leader added, “Enforcement agencies have seized approximately 450 kilograms of heroin, drug money worth more than ₹23 crore, over 67 lakh intoxicant capsules, around 4,200 injections and 84 kilograms of intoxicating powder allegedly used by young people. These seizures reflect the scale of the government’s ongoing campaign to dismantle drug networks and prevent narcotics from reaching Punjab’s youth.”
Challenging the BJP to account for the drug situation in states governed by the party, Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “A newspaper report published on October 25 showed that drug use in Punjab had declined by 5.5%, while it had increased by 28% in Delhi, 18% in Uttar Pradesh, 42% in Haryana and 51% in Madhya Pradesh.”
He added, “These figures were not compiled by the AAP government but were based on Government of India data.” Harpal Singh Cheema also referred to Bihar Director General of Police Kundan Krishnan’s reported remarks that other states should learn from Punjab’s efforts to eliminate drugs.
Targeting the BJP over its record in Gujarat, the cabinet minister asserted, “The BJP has governed Gujarat for more than 30 years, yet the state has become a major source through which drugs are spreading across the country. How can the BJP claim credibility in tackling the drug menace while continuing to politicise the issue in Punjab?”
Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “Punjab is fighting a determined battle to stop drugs and protect its younger generation. The AAP government remains committed to eliminating drugs from the state and will continue taking strict action against drug traffickers, gangsters and those involved in organised crime.”
