Tribune News Service

Muktsar, June 6

Irate over the increasing number of deaths due to overdose of drugs, the panchayat of Shamkhera village in Lambi has appealed to drug peddlers to mend their ways and passed a resolution in this regard.

Seven to eight youths from our village between the age group of 25-28 died due to drugs, especially ‘chitta’, in the past year. A boy died due to drugs a few days ago. - Pritam Singh, Sarpanch, Shamkhera Village

Speaking over the phone, Pritam Singh, sarpanch, Shamkhera village, said, “Our village has a population of nearly 5,000 people. Seven to eight youths between the age group of 25-28 died due to drugs, especially ‘chitta’ (heroin), in the past year. Further, a boy died due to drugs a few days ago. So many newly-wed girls have become widows. We are really worried about our coming generations.” He said, “Recently, an audio clip of a girl speaking to a drug peddler to mend his ways and stop selling drugs to her father had gone viral. After this clip, we all gathered in the village and passed a resolution that if someone was found selling drugs, he/she will be responsible for his/her own misdeeds and nobody will pursue his/her case.”

Sub-Inspector Jaskarandeep Singh, SHO, Kabarwala police station, said, “There are three panchayats in Shamkhera village. We have formed a joint committee with residents to nab the drug peddlers and make the village drugs-free. The problem of smuggling persists but we caught the kingpin from the village. Now, the residents have also announced that they will not come for the bail of peddlers.”