Archive · 22 Sep 2026
AAP Challenges Opposition Over Namol Drug Row and Campaign
The Aam Aadmi Party said opposition leaders described a Namol villager as a person fighting drugs.
AAP said the man, Jagga Singh, faces several criminal cases and that some convictions have been recorded.
The party said this background was being ignored in the political debate.
Namol’s panchayats and other local groups reportedly agreed to stop drugs from being sold in the village.
An argument happened between Jagga Singh and panchayat members on September 7.
Both sides filed complaints, and police were still investigating.
Jagga Singh later reportedly consumed a poisonous substance outside a government office.
AAP said the incident should not be used to undermine the village’s anti-drug efforts.
The government plans to create village committees to watch for suspected drug sales and inform police.
AAP accused opposition leaders of politicising the Namol incident to target Punjab’s anti-drug campaign.
Aman Arora said Jagga Singh faced nine cases, including NDPS, Excise and rape charges, with convictions in four.
Namol’s two panchayats, gurdwara committees, farmers’ groups and villagers reportedly resolved to prevent drug sales.
An altercation on September 7 led to complaints from both sides, while the matter remained under investigation.
AAP announced Village Defence Committees, village vigilance and Thikri Pehra to support the anti-drug campaign.
- Who
- The Aam Aadmi Party, led on this issue by Punjab president and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, and opposition leaders discussing the case involving Jagga Singh.
- What
- A political dispute over an incident involving Jagga Singh and the interpretation of Namol’s community anti-drug campaign.
- When
- The dispute followed incidents on September 7 and September 12; AAP addressed the issue on Monday.
- Where
- Namol village in Sangrur; Jagga Singh reportedly consumed poison outside the Sangrur Deputy Commissioner’s office and was later taken to Rajindra Hospital.
- Why
- AAP said opposition statements misrepresented the incident and targeted the Bhagwant Mann government’s anti-drug campaign.
AAP and Government Position
Opposition Position as Described by AAP
Interpretation of the Namol incident
AAP and Government Position
AAP said opposition leaders were using the incident to attack the government’s anti-drug campaign and overlooking the village’s collective efforts.
Opposition Position as Described by AAP
According to AAP, opposition leaders portrayed Jagga Singh as someone fighting drugs and accused the panchayat and police of enabling drug activity.
Who should receive political support
AAP and Government Position
AAP ministers asked whether opposition parties supported villagers opposing drugs or the person they were defending, and urged them to visit Namol.
Opposition Position as Described by AAP
The opposition’s reported statements focused on Jagga Singh’s allegations against the sarpanch, panchayat and police.
Response to drug sales
AAP and Government Position
The government supports Village Defence Committees, Thikri Pehra, public awareness and cooperation between villagers, panchayats and police.
Opposition Position as Described by AAP
No detailed alternative anti-drug plan from opposition parties was provided in the article.
- Village
- Namol, Sangrur
- AAP spokesperson
- Aman Arora, Punjab AAP president and Cabinet Minister
- Cases cited by AAP
- AAP said Jagga Singh had faced nine cases since 2018, including NDPS, Excise and rape cases.
- Convictions cited
- AAP said convictions had been recorded in four cases.
- September 7 incident
- An altercation between Jagga Singh and panchayat members led to complaints from both sides.
- Community response
- Namol’s two panchayats, gurdwara committees, farmers’ organisations and villagers reportedly resolved to prevent drug sales.
- Government initiative
- Village Defence Committees are to be formed in every village and ward, with sarpanches as chairpersons.