The Opposition, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and BJP, has formed a 21-member committee and will launch an indefinite ‘pucca morcha’, sit-in with tents and kitchen, at CM Bhagwant Mann‘s Sangrur residence from Tuesday over the alleged targeting of drug-menace whistleblowers.
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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.
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Much to the embarrassment of the AAP government, these cases have been reported from CM’s stronghold, Sangrur. Mohanjeet Singh, 37, waved a black flag at the CM over the drug menace and was detained. He subsequently alleged torture.Gulzar Singh, a Dalit, publicly raised the issue of the open availability of “chitta” and his son’s drug addiction when state finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema visited his 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.
Opposition turning a tragedy into a political spectacle: AAP
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.
