Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Punjab Drug Crisis Prompts Calls for Mann Resignation, Cheema Arrest
A man from Punjab named Gulzar Singh died after allegedly consuming poison.
He had spoken publicly about drugs in his village.
Opposition parties said he was threatened after asking Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the problem.
They blamed the Punjab government and demanded resignations and an arrest.
Congress also said drugs were spreading widely across the state.
The Aam Aadmi Party said it had arrested thousands of drug traffickers.
It also blamed earlier governments for allowing drug trafficking.
The disagreement is about who is responsible for Punjab’s drug problem and how the government should respond.
SAD and Congress demanded Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema’s arrest.
The demands followed Gulzar Singh’s death after he allegedly consumed poison following concerns about drug availability.
SAD alleged Singh faced threats after publicly questioning Cheema about “chitta” addiction in his village.
Congress MP Amar Singh said drugs were widespread in Punjab and accused the AAP government of failing to stop them.
AAP leader Anurag Dhanda said thousands of traffickers had been arrested and rejected accusations against the current government.
- Who
- Gulzar Singh, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, SAD, Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party.
- What
- Opposition parties demanded Mann’s resignation and Cheema’s arrest after Singh’s death and raised allegations about Punjab’s drug problem.
- When
- The demands were reported on Tuesday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Punjab, particularly Sangrur district and Singh’s village.
- Why
- The demands followed Singh’s alleged poisoning after he publicly questioned Cheema about the availability of “chitta” and alleged drug addiction.
Opposition parties
Aam Aadmi Party
Responsibility for Punjab’s drug problem
Opposition parties
SAD and Congress said drugs were widespread, that the situation had worsened, and that the Bhagwant Mann government had failed to fulfill its promises.
Aam Aadmi Party
AAP leader Anurag Dhanda said the government was arresting drug traffickers and would not spare anyone involved.
Gulzar Singh’s allegations
Opposition parties
SAD alleged Singh was threatened and intimidated after questioning Harpal Singh Cheema about drug addiction, and said the matter was being covered up.
Aam Aadmi Party
The article reports no direct response from Cheema or the Punjab government to these specific allegations.
Role of earlier governments
Opposition parties
Congress focused on the current AAP government’s alleged failure to control drug sales.
Aam Aadmi Party
AAP blamed previous SAD-BJP governments, alleging they made deals with drug-mafia members and allowed drugs to be sold openly.
- Reported deceased
- Gulzar Singh of Punjab’s Sangrur district
- Main demand
- SAD and Congress sought Bhagwant Mann’s resignation
- Arrest demand
- SAD demanded the arrest of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema
- Drug term
- “Chitta” is described as a commonly used term for drugs
- Opposition allegation
- SAD said Singh was threatened after questioning Cheema about drug addiction
- AAP response
- Anurag Dhanda said thousands of drug traffickers had been arrested and jailed
- Healthcare allegation
- SAD alleged Singh was transferred between hospitals because of unavailable ventilator facilities