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Punjab Drug Menace Becomes AAP's Growing Political Vulnerability
Punjab has a serious problem with illegal drugs.
The Aam Aadmi Party promised to stop the drug trade quickly after winning the 2022 election.
The article says that promise has not been fulfilled, and drugs have reached more villages.
Some people who reported drug sellers say they were threatened or attacked.
Police officers have also allegedly been killed by smugglers.
Villagers have formed committees to watch for drug activity because some people do not trust local police.
The BJP is using the problem to criticize the AAP government.
It says it would take more time and use enforcement, supply disruption, and rehabilitation.
The issue could become important in Punjab’s 2027 election.
AAP’s promise to end Punjab’s drug trade within three to six months has not been fulfilled, according to the analysis.
The article says drug supplies have spread to remote villages, while rehabilitation-centre admissions have increased.
BJP’s anti-drug campaign promises supply disruption, asset seizures, tougher enforcement, and medical and psychological rehabilitation.
Nearly 15,000 village ward committees reportedly guard entry points, but the parallel system has caused local friction and accusations of political protection.
Several alleged attacks on whistleblowers and police personnel have intensified concerns about informant safety and the power of drug-smuggling networks.
- Who
- The Punjab government led by the Aam Aadmi Party, opposition parties including the BJP and Congress, police, villagers, whistleblowers, and alleged drug-smuggling networks.
- What
- A political and public controversy over Punjab’s unresolved drug trade, failed deadlines, informant safety, and alleged attacks linked to smugglers.
- Where
- Punjab, including Sangrur, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Abohar, and villages across the state.
- When
- The AAP made its anti-drug pledge after winning the 2022 Punjab election; the article also cites incidents in August 2025, September, and April 2026.
- Why
- The issue has become politically damaging because drug supplies reportedly continue, the government’s deadline was not met, and critics allege failures in enforcement and protection for complainants.
AAP Government and Supporters
BJP and Congress Critics
Responsibility for continuing drug supplies
AAP Government and Supporters
AAP leaders have attributed drug inflows to ports and drones, according to the article, while pursuing arrests and an anti-drug campaign.
BJP and Congress Critics
BJP and Congress critics argue that the government has failed to stop supplies from entering Punjab and has not fulfilled its promise.
Approach to ending the drug trade
AAP Government and Supporters
AAP’s campaign emphasizes arrests of peddlers, smugglers, and addicts, along with village committees and whistleblower incentives.
BJP and Congress Critics
The BJP proposes a longer timeline and a broader strategy involving supply-route disruption, asset seizures, rehabilitation, and citizen participation.
Protection of complainants and policing
AAP Government and Supporters
The government has launched an anti-drug helpline, offered whistleblower incentives, and supported village-level action, as described in the article.
BJP and Congress Critics
Critics say whistleblowers remain vulnerable, local police are not trusted, and corrupt officials or political actors may protect smugglers; these claims include allegations that are under investigation or disputed.
Key facts
- AAP election result
- The Aam Aadmi Party won 92 of Punjab’s 117 Assembly seats in 2022.
- AAP anti-drug pledge
- The party pledged to end the drug trade within three to six months; the article elsewhere describes the promise as four months.
- BJP proposal
- The BJP campaign promises direct enforcement, supply-route disruption, asset seizures, rehabilitation, and a public-driven social movement.
- Village committees
- Nearly 15,000 citizen-led ward committees reportedly formed to guard village entry points.
- Sangrur cases
- The article describes cases involving Jagseer Singh and Gulzar Singh, including allegations of intimidation and suicide.
- Police casualties
- The article alleges that three assistant sub-inspectors and one home guard were killed by drug smugglers.
- Political significance
- The unresolved drug problem is presented as a major vulnerability for AAP ahead of Punjab’s 2027 election.
Sources
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