Other States - Punjab   

MP's hunger strike against drugs crosses hundred hours

CHANDIGARH: A verbal assurance from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on setting up a drugs eradication board notwithstanding, the hunger strike by Punjab Youth Congress president and MP Ravnit Singh Bittu demanding an effective mechanism to curb the growing drug menace in the State has crossed 100 hours.

The PYC has claimed a major response to its effort. At least 2,700 persons have recorded themselves to support Mr. Bittu's cause on the web page www.drugfreepunjab.com and over 18,000 signatures have been received. Mr. Bittu, who has pitched his camp in front of the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner's office since May 1, is reported to be in sound health though there is a minor fall in his blood pressure. The PYC activists have braved the scorching heat.

In a statement, Mr. Bittu welcomed the announcement of establishment of a drug prevention board by Mr. Badal who responded to questions by the media at a Sangat Darshan in Jagraon town, 45 km from Ludhiana. Mr. Bittu said his hunger strike would continue till the Chief Minister's Office communicates to him in writing about the time frame in which the board would be constituted. He also demanded an Assembly committee to monitor the measures initiated to control the spread of drug addiction and substance abuse.

Mr. Bittu said the Chief Minister must explain the delay in issuing an official communication about his commitment to set up the board. “This clearly shows that the government is not serious about this issue and is merely addressing the gallery. It also proves that the Chief Minister only sought media mileage,” Mr. Bittu said, while reiterating his determination to take the issue to its logical conclusion.

“Why would the Chief Minister want to play with the lives of those who are on a hunger strike for more than 100 hours now and lakhs of those who are affected by drug addiction?” Mr. Bittu asked demanding a clarification.

He said if the government was really serious about making Punjab drugs-free, Deputy Chief Minister Sukbir Singh Badal mustjoin and support the ongoing hunger strike by Youth Congress leaders.

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh has demanded that all demands raised by Mr. Bittu be conceded without delay.

Five Congress MLAs -- Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, Avtar Singh Brar, Charanjit Singh Channi and Makhan Singh -- while extending support to Mr. Bittu's cause, drew the attention of the Chief Minister to the fact that free flow of drugs in Punjab is not possible without the patronage of police-political nexus.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

CBI arrests Punjab MLA on corruption charge
Haryana ban on plastic items
Two-day mourning in Haryana
MP's hunger strike against drugs crosses hundred hours

Copyright © 2011, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu