Punjab Opposition parties launch indefinite protest at Bhagwant Mann’s Sangrur residence over drug menace

New Delhi: Ahead of the Punjab assembly elections, Opposition parties have come together and stepped up their attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over drug abuse and the alleged increasing attacks on whistleblowers who have been raising their voice against the menace.

The Opposition, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), BJP and other smaller parties, has formed a 21-member joint action committee and taken the fight to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s home turf, Sangrur. The Mohanjeet Singh-Gulzar Singh Insaf Morcha, named after two whistleblowers who were allegedly targeted by the police for raising their voice against drug trafficking in their villages, will initiate a 'pucca morcha' at Mann’s Sangrur residence from Tuesday.

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A 'pucca morcha' is a concept in Punjab politics in which protesters pitch tents, carry their own small kitchen and camp at the site until their demands are met. The joint action committee members include Punjab Congress spokesperson Rajinder Deepa, Winnerjit Singh Goldy (SAD-Badal), Daaman Thind Bajwa (BJP), Kaka Singh Kotra and Jaswinder Singh (Bharatiya Kisan Union), along with representatives from Waris Punjab De and some social organisations.

The committee initiated the protest with a visit to the Golden Temple on Monday along with the families of the two whistleblowers. Speaking to ET, Deepa said, “Whistleblowers who are flagging the drug menace are increasingly being targeted. At least four incidents have come to light from Sangrur, which is the CM’s constituency. We will initiate a pucca morcha from Tuesday and continue till our demands are met.” The committee has demanded that an FIR be lodged against AAP minister Harpal Singh Cheema, along with the immediate suspension of and registration of FIRs against four police officials allegedly involved in Mohanjeet Singh’s case.

Much to the embarrassment of the AAP government, these cases have been reported from CM’s stronghold, Sangrur. Mohanjeet Singh, 37, had allegedly climbed onto a rooftop during Mann’s Lok Milni programme and displayed a black flag while questioning the government’s record on the drug menace. He was taken into police custody. Mohanjeet subsequently alleged custodial torture, including electric shocks and physical assault, and alleged the involvement of a DSP-rank officer.

Gulzar Singh, a Dalit farm labourer from Toor Banjara village, publicly raised the issue of the open availability of “chitta” and his son’s drug addiction when state finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema visited the village on September 6. According to his family and a video recorded before his death, Gulzar alleged that after raising the issue, he was threatened and asked to meet members of the village panchayat. He subsequently consumed poison and died.

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A third incident was reported on Sunday when another person named Jagga Singh allegedly posted a video about drug sales in his village and said he possessed footage relating to the alleged sale of “chitta”. He alleged that after the video was posted, the village sarpanch and his associates threatened him, came to his house and assaulted him.

The AAP, however, hit back at the Opposition for turning a “tragedy into a political spectacle”. Cheema accused Jagga Singh of being a drug dealer himself, with nine FIRs registered against him. In a post on X, Cheema said, “The entire village is united against drugs and standing together in the fight to make Namol drug-free. So the question for the Opposition leaders is simple: whose side are you on?”