Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Channi Says Centre, Punjab Must End Drug Blame Game
Charanjit Singh Channi says drugs are still reaching villages in Punjab despite government claims of large seizures and arrests.
He says the Centre and Punjab government keep blaming each other instead of solving the problem together.
According to Channi, the Centre must stop drugs from crossing the international border.
Punjab must also investigate local networks and officials who may help them.
He wants police officers to work professionally without political pressure.
He says people addicted to drugs need treatment and rehabilitation.
He also wants better schools, jobs and sports so young people have healthier choices.
Channi criticises the government for allegedly treating some criticism as a threat.
He says fighting drugs and gangsters will require continued action rather than only campaigns or slogans.
Charanjit Singh Channi says rising drug seizures have not stopped drugs from reaching Punjab’s villages.
He argues the Centre must strengthen border controls while Punjab must dismantle local supply networks and ensure accountability.
Channi proposes politically insulated policing, stronger intelligence, treatment, rehabilitation, education, jobs and sports.
He criticises alleged political protection of drug networks and gangsterism, while questioning restrictions on dissent.
He says campaigns and arrests are insufficient unless they produce concrete results and break the criminal ecosystem.
- Who
- Jalandhar MP and former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, along with the Centre and Punjab governments.
- What
- Channi discussed drug trafficking, policing, gangsterism, political accountability and his proposed response if Congress returns to power.
- When
- In an interview published amid an ongoing debate over Punjab’s drug problem and law-and-order situation.
- Where
- Punjab, including border districts and villages affected by drugs.
- Why
- Channi says drug availability continues despite seizures and arrests, requiring joint action by the Centre and Punjab and stronger accountability.
Channi’s Criticism
Government and Enforcement Claims
Measuring success against drugs
Channi’s Criticism
Channi says seizures and FIRs alone do not prove success because drugs remain available and supply networks continue operating.
Government and Enforcement Claims
The Punjab Police points to large drug seizures and numerous FIRs as evidence of a large-scale crackdown.
Responsibility for drug flows
Channi’s Criticism
Channi says the Centre must stop cross-border and interstate supplies, while Punjab must address local networks; he criticises both governments for blaming each other.
Government and Enforcement Claims
The Centre has identified several Punjab districts as ultra-sensitive drug zones, while the state government is pursuing enforcement action within Punjab.
Gangsterism and law enforcement
Channi’s Criticism
Channi says arrests are welcome but argues the government must prevent gangster culture from gaining political or social legitimacy and must protect the right to dissent.
Government and Enforcement Claims
The AAP government says it has arrested hundreds of gangsters and brought some accused persons back from abroad through lawful processes.
- Interviewee
- Charanjit Singh Channi, Jalandhar MP and former Punjab Chief Minister
- Drug-zone districts
- Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Ludhiana were identified by the Centre as ultra-sensitive drug zones.
- Border responsibility
- Channi says the Centre is responsible for preventing drugs from entering India through the international border.
- Police reforms
- He calls for professional, accountable and politically insulated policing, with more stable officer tenures.
- Proposed first steps
- His 100-day approach would target supply chains, drug profiteers, organised crime and access to treatment and rehabilitation.
- Prevention
- Channi links prevention to education, employment, sports and other meaningful opportunities for young people.
- Gangsterism concern
- He says gangsterism must not receive social or political legitimacy, even as he acknowledges arrests by the police.