Punjab government suggests death penalty to Centre for drug smugglers

The Punjab government led by Capt Amarinder Singh has recommend to the Centre to provide for death penalty for drug peddlers and smugglers. The decision to make the recommendation to the Union government was taken in a Punjab Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister. "The drug peddling is destroying entire generations and it deserves exemplary punishment," Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said while making the recommendation.

It is worth noting that the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act already has provisions of the death penalty for repeat drug offenders. The government's decision comes after people across the state are protesting against drug menace and are observing a ‘Black Week’ in July 1-7 period.

"My government has decided to recommend death penalty for drug peddling or 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," Amarinder tweeted after the Cabinet meeting.



The Cabinet meeting also reviewed the progress of probes in drug peddling cases and discuss ways and means to curb drug menace.

The Chief Minister had called for the meeting to discuss the issue, particularly in the wake of recent spate of deaths due to drug overdose in the state.

The opposition parties including the AAP and the SAD have been criticizing the 15-month old Captain Amarinder Singh government for allegedly failing to contain the drug menace in the state despite promising to wipe it out before 2017 assembly polls.

(Inputs from PTI)