Khattar responds to Capt, calls for joint action by all States

With the drug menace engulfing the youth of Haryana, Punjab and neighboring States, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Monday called for joint action by all States to curb the drug menace.

Stressing the need for improvement in actionable intelligence shared by the Punjab Police, the Chief Minister has also suggested regular border district meetings between senior police officers of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan for intelligence sharing and strategy development.

“I assure you of strict and prompt action whenever any precise and authentic information is shared by Punjab Police regarding drug peddlers”, Manohar Lal said in a letter written in response to the letter of his Punjab counterpart, Capt. Amarinder Singh, regarding curbing the problem of drug menace from the society.

Capt Amarinder Singh had last month sought the cooperation of his counterparts in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, as well as the Union Home Minister, in controlling the cultivation and smuggling of narcotics and also, ensuring that no safe havens are allowed to drug peddlers and smugglers in their respective regions.

Responding to his letter, Manohar Lal said that the Haryana Government is fully committed to effectively checking the smuggling and sale of narcotics, and to fully cooperating with all States.

In his letter to the Punjab CM, Manohar Lal not only highlighted steps taken by his Government to curb drug menace but also indulged in self-praise while mentioning programmes like “Saksham”,  “Raahgiri” started by his State Government to engage the youth in various activities.

Terming drug addiction as most serious problem for the future of nation's youth, the Chief Minister said, “Haryana did not grow drugs. Haryana Police have taken stringent measures to apprehend not only the persons involved in the sale of smuggled drugs but also to trace their roots and transportation routes.”

Apart from this, a Special Task Force (STF) was set up in January, 2018 to curb drug menace and apprehend drug smugglers. The STF is working in close coordination with neighbouring States, including Punjab, he added.

In his letter, Manohar Lal further said, “The Police Department regularly launches special campaigns to apprehend drug peddlers. Moreover, Food and Drug Administration has also been involved in nabbing the suppliers of medical intoxicants to make Haryana a drug-free State.”

“Since you claim to have banished all drug smugglers and peddlers from Punjab, you may like to consider introducing some programms for involvement of youth in constructive activities, said Manohar Lal, adding that the leading role of Haryana's youth in winning laurels and medals for our nation in various sports, athletic and other prestigious international events is well known.

While sharing some of the recent state-wide innovations, he said since November 1, 2016, the State Government has launched Saksham, India’s first employment guarantee scheme for educated unemployed.

Under the scheme, over 60,000 post-graduates and graduates are getting 100 hours of work per month and a payment of Rs 9,000 and Rs 7,500 per month respectively. In addition, one Yogshala each has been set up in 1,000 villages, he said.

Manohar Lal also mentioned programmes called “Raahgiri” marathon runs, street plays and other cultural activities being organised on regular basis in various districts to create a positive and healthy narrative. An initiative called “Prabal Prahaar” has been launched in Sirsa district where a group of village youth volunteers have taken up the fight against drugs, he said.

Besides, a nationwide Student Police Cadet  programme was launched from Gurugram by the Union Home Minister last month which would encourage the youth to invest their energies in nation building and refrain from using drugs, the Chief Minister added.

Notably, the BJP led Haryana Government is under severe criticism from the Indian National Lok Dal over the issue of rise in cases of drug addiction and smuggling in the State in the past few years.