5 days ago
AAP MP’s Grassroots Anti-Drugs Campaign Raises Punjab Policing Questions
Balbir Singh Seechewal is an AAP politician in Punjab who started a campaign called ‘Apna Pind Sambhalo.’
It asks villages to work together against drugs, theft, and other crimes.
People are being encouraged to watch for suspicious activity and inform the police.
They are also being asked to help young people reach de-addiction and rehabilitation centres.
Seechewal gave up the six police officers assigned to protect him and asked that they work at police stations instead.
He says the police cannot fight these problems alone.
Some political opponents say the campaign shows that Punjab’s drug and policing problems remain serious.
Seechewal says he is trying to help villages, not attack his party’s government.
Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal launched the ‘Apna Pind Sambhalo’ campaign in Punjab on July 29.
The initiative has spread to around 150 villages across Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts.
Villages are being urged to monitor drug trafficking, theft, and other crimes while supporting addiction rehabilitation.
Seechewal asked Punjab’s police chief to withdraw his six security personnel and deploy them to understaffed police stations.
Campaign participants said they recovered about 150 grams of heroin and eight motorcycles allegedly linked to drug trafficking.
- Who
- Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, village representatives, police officials, and local residents.
- What
- Seechewal launched the ‘Apna Pind Sambhalo’ campaign to mobilise villages against drugs, theft, and other crimes.
- Where
- The campaign began in Seechewal village in Jalandhar district and expanded across Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts, including the Sultanpur Lodhi and Lohian areas.
- When
- The campaign began on July 29 and had spread to around 150 villages in less than a month; a meeting was held on August 18.
- Why
- Seechewal said communities must help address drug trafficking, addiction, theft, and police staffing shortages.
Seechewal’s stated view
Critics’ and political observers’ view
Political purpose
Seechewal’s stated view
Seechewal says the campaign is not directed against the AAP government, police, or any political party, and that he has raised such issues under different governments.
Critics’ and political observers’ view
Shiromani Akali Dal spokesperson Dr Daljit Singh Cheema says the campaign functions as evidence that Punjab’s drug problem remains serious and highlights shortcomings on the ground.
Role of communities
Seechewal’s stated view
Seechewal says villages should strengthen local vigilance and share responsibility with the police, rather than turn residents into policemen.
Critics’ and political observers’ view
The campaign’s emphasis on village monitoring and the withdrawal of Seechewal’s security has raised questions within AAP about pressure on Punjab’s policing system.
Addressing addiction and supply
Seechewal’s stated view
Seechewal stresses sending people trapped in addiction to de-addiction and rehabilitation centres while making it harder for peddlers to operate openly.
Critics’ and political observers’ view
Residents in Lohian argued that rehabilitation alone would not be enough unless authorities also targeted the narcotics supply chain.
Key facts
- Campaign name
- ‘Apna Pind Sambhalo,’ meaning ‘take care of your village.’
- Campaign launch
- July 29, from Seechewal village in Jalandhar district.
- Reported reach
- Around 150 villages across Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts.
- Security personnel
- Seechewal asked for the withdrawal of six police personnel assigned to his security.
- Reported recovery
- Around 150 grams of heroin and eight motorcycles allegedly linked to drug trafficking were handed to police.
- Community measures
- The campaign promotes village vigilance, traditional watch systems, CCTV cameras, and reporting suspicious activity.
Quotes
Balbir Singh Seechewal
AAP Rajya Sabha MP leading the Apna Pind Sambhalo campaign
“When a ruling party MP feels compelled to give up his own security cover to highlight police shortages, and simultaneously mobilises villages against drugs and thefts, what does it say about the pressure on Punjab’s policing and the persistence of its drug problem?”
indianexpress.com
“I am not doing this against anybody, nor am I doing it to give any tool in the hands of the Opposition.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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