Jolted by the public outcry over a spate of drug overdose deaths in the state, the Punjab Cabinet, that met under Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday, decided to recommend to the Union Government death penalty for drug peddlers at the first instance.
This provision already exists in the NDPS Act for those held guilty for the second time. A formal note suggesting an amendment to the NDPS Act will be sent to the Centre soon.
Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu reportedly expressed concern at the growing perception that the government had failed to eliminate the drug menace as well as instances of “dubious” police role.
The Cabinet decided to constitute a special working group under ACS (Home) NS Kalsi to daily monitor the measures taken to check drug abuse. The group will have ACS (Health) Satish Chandra, DGP (Law and Order) Ishwar Singh, DGP (Intelligence) Dinkar Gupta and ADGP (STF) HS Sidhu as members.
My govt has decided to recommend the death penalty for drug peddling/smuggling. The recommendation is being forwarded to the Union government. Since drug peddling is destroying entire generations, it deserves exemplary punishment. I stand by my commitment for a drug free Punjab. pic.twitter.com/dXZTsDwVpf
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) July 2, 2018
Also, a sub-committee, comprising the CM, Health and Family Welfare Minister and Social Security Minister, will meet once a week to assess the anti-drug drive.
Prior to the meeting, senior Home Department and Punjab Police officers briefed the Cabinet members and PPCC president Sunil Jakhar. The CM, it is learnt, directed DGP Suresh Arora to intensify the crackdown on peddlers/smugglers and review the situation with SSPs every fortnight. He stressed that SSPs not performing up to the mark be taken to task.
ACS (Home) Kalsi spoke of the need for a “holistic strategy” involving the Enforcement Wing and de-addiction and rehab centres. DGP Arora pointed out that there had been a sharp rise in the figures since the Capt Amarinder government took over and the seizure of heroin had declined.
It was possible that the resulting shortage of drugs was forcing addicts to take adulterated drugs, which could be causing deaths, the DGP said, adding that the cause could be only ascertained by a chemical examiner.
This is my final warning to drug smugglers and peddlers. Give up or face strict action. Enough is enough! pic.twitter.com/u7behip6st
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) July 3, 2018
Involving ‘Guardians of Governance’ to educate the youth on the ill-effects of drugs and a special cadre of at least 15 trained prosecutors to secure the conviction of drug offenders were some of the other suggestions.
