A couple of Paratha with white butter floating on its surface and a huge glass of lassi. Okay, there is some glasses of beer and a few Patiala pegs as well. For many, this pretty much sums up the state of Punjab. All seems to fall in place when one looks at the majestic image of Amritsar's Golden Temple. In election season, there are loudspeakers everywhere with political messages. Politicians in their colourful turbans and crisp white attires are urging votes from people.

But, why no one is talking about the biggest menace in the state - drugs?

The land of five rivers has been marred by drug menace, but what’s more discomforting is the deafening silence of the political parties, particularly during the election season.

Punjab will vote in the last phase of general election to be held on May 19, but the drug menace which literally devastated last two generations of one of the most prosperous states in India doesn’t strike any political discourse anymore.

AFP/Representational Image

If the biggest problem doesn’t find a place in political campaigns, discussions and debates, then probably it derails the whole purpose of conducting elections.

2014 was different

Last general election in Punjab was different as the drug menace was one of the major issues and the ruling SAD had faced a lot of criticism from the opposition over their alleged support to drug trade.

AFP/Representational Image

The Congress party, during the assembly polls in 2017 claimed that if voted to power, it would break the supply chain of drugs within a month, but political promises are seldom kept and Punjab still get high.

Drug seized during assembly polls vs general elections

Even after the model code of conduct was announced for assembly polls on January 4, the police had seized drug, alcohol and cash worth Rs 127 crores in just more than a month, The Times of India report said.

The seizure included 11.92 kg of heroin and 2,342 kg of poppy husk.

TOI

This appears to be quite a crackdown, right? But wait. The seizure of drugs after model code of conduct for general election was announced on March 10, the contraband and cash worth Rs 200 crore had been seized till April 10 including 65 kg of heroin, 99 kg of opium and 3,808 kg of poppy husk.

AFP

Yet, there is hardly any buzz from the political parties trying to convince to voter to vote them to parliament.

Of doda, bhukki and chitta

Opium, known as doda; poppy husk or bhukki, were major drugs traditionally consumed by people in Punjab, especially by farmers and labour associated with farming. But chitta or heroin made its way rather quickly in Punjab and became popular. According to a TOI report, in 2017, one gram of heroin would get sold for Rs 25,00 to Rs 4,000 and now it’s sold for Rs 35,00 to Rs 5,000 per gram and the nexus between politicians, the system and gangs who supply is an open secret which seldom gets voiced.

AFP

“We keep getting demands from politicians to free their men caught peddling drugs. That has not changed in the last few years,” said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity.

In 2013, the former deputy superintendent of police (DSP), Jagdish Singh Bhola was arrested in relation to unearthing of a Rs 6,000 crore racket.

The allegedly police playing hand in glove

Indiatimes

According to the same report, more than 13 policemen which includes officials of the ranks of inspectors. In 2018, DGP-rank officer Siddharth Chattopadhyaya raised questions in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in relation to the alleged drug links of then DGP Suresh Arora and Dinkar Gupta, the state police head.

Major routes of drug trafficking in India

The drug route through which drug gets into India specially Punjab is called the Golden Crescent.

reuters

A drugs which includes heroin, poppy husk, opium, and synthetic drugs comes through a route linked to Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan before it enters in India mainly through Punjab and Rajasthan.

It is indeed the biggest challenge not only for the state, but for the country as well. The security agencies have warned that drug trade is also being used by the terrorist organisations to fund their activities. If not taken seriously, we may be heading towards a more difficult future.

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