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Narendra Modi’s drug mafia remark, ‘Udta Himachal’ flies in the face of CM Virbhadra

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November 5, 2017 12:12 pm
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INTERNATIONAL DESK: After Punjab, drug addiction becomes a poll issue in Himachal Pradesh after Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted the Virbhadra government on the issue.

A bitter blame has ensued between the BJP and Congress following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments on drug mafia in Himachal Pradesh during poll campaign.

Virbhadra government is under attack from several quarters for allegedly ignoring warning signals which have lead to state fast turning into ‘Udta Himachal’

If it was Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who hit out at the then Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government of Punjab over drug addiction among youth, it is Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing the same in Himachal Pradesh.

Addressing a huge gathering at Kangra on Thursday, PM Modi slammed the Virbhadra government in Himachal Pradesh blaming it for “drug mafia raj”. PM Modi sought votes for the BJP promising definitive action against drug mafia in Himachal Pradesh.

DRUGS IN HIMACHAL

PM Narendra Modi spoke about growing abuse of heroin or chitta, as it is locally called, in the state. Unchecked cultivation of high quality cannabis locally known as ‘Malana Cream’ has been attracting hoards of foreigners to the Kullu Valley for decades.

With neighbouring Punjab facing severe drugs abuse, heroin smuggled into bordering districts of Himachal Pradesh has sent alarm bells ringing for the authorities. Sources told India Today that Kangra, Una, Kullu, Solan, Bilaspur, Sirmaur and Hamirpur districts were most affected by heroin abuse.

As per sources in Narcotics Control Bureau, Damtal, Nurpur, Haroli and Nagrota towns bordering Punjab have become heroin peddling hubs.

“This menace is growing at alarming rate. Youth are getting into this trap but not much action is there on part of local police. This cannot go on without political support,” Ajay Srivastava, a social activist, told India Today.

Himachal Pradesh has seen exponential rise in drug abuse related cases in the recent times. Quoting a study by Shimla’s Indira Gandhi Medical College, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has already cautioned the state government that close to 40 per cent youth are into drugs.

DRUGS: RIPPLE EFFECT OF PUNJAB?

Sources said that action against drug mafia in Punjab by Captain Amarinder Singh Government has led to peddlers seeking safe heavens in Himachal Pradesh. Central agencies investigating Punjab’s illicit synthetic drugs trade had cracked down on chemical supplying units in Himachal Pradesh’s pharma hub in Baddi area.

“The areas bordering Punjab are worst affected. Virbhadra government has turned a blind eye to this menace. Drug peddlers have no fear of law as they sometimes beat up even cops,” said former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, adding, “Once we are back in power we will crack down on the drugs network.”

Activists too have warned authorities of similar nexus operating in Himachal Pradesh. However, the Congress trashed these allegations calling them poll gimmick.

Congress leader and Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, while speaking to media persons in Shimla, said, “This is all propaganda by the BJP, they should answer who was in power for 10 years during which drugs abuse in Punjab became a menace. If anyone is responsible for this situation then it is the BJP.”

The Akali-BJP government in Punjab had to face humiliating defeat in assembly polls just six months ago. Opposition parties – Congress and AAP had used drugs menace issue as a key poll plank. The BJP is trying to cash in on similar sentiments in Himachal Pradesh now.

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