Politics · India · 7 hrs ago
Amit Shah to meet families affected by Punjab’s drug trade
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah plans to meet families in Punjab who lost relatives in incidents linked to the state’s drug trade.
The families are in Mansa, Sangrur and Gurdaspur districts, and include relatives of anti-drug campaigners and a man whose son struggled with addiction.
The meetings follow deaths and killings linked to people speaking out against drug trafficking, including the October 13 murder of activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, as named in one account.
Shah has blamed Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party government for the drug problem and said the national government will pursue those involved in the trade.
The AAP has responded by accusing the BJP of failing to control gangsters and crime in places where it governs.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal has asked Shah to seek a federal investigation into Jhota’s murder and alleged links between politicians, police and the drug trade.
The visit is intended to raise pressure for action and justice for the families, though accounts differ on whether it is scheduled for October 19 or 20.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to meet families affected by Punjab’s drug trade during a visit to the state.
The articles give different dates for the visit: October 19 in the Times of India and October 20 in The Hindu.
The families named are those of Parminder Singh Jhota, Gulzar Singh and Bikramjit Singh.
Shah blamed Punjab’s AAP government for the drug problem and said the Union government would pursue those involved in the “chitta” trade.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of failing to manage law and order in states it governs.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to meet families of people affected by Punjab’s drug trade.
- What
- He is set to meet families of Parminder Singh Jhota, Gulzar Singh and Bikramjit Singh.
- When
- The Times of India reported October 19, 2026; The Hindu reported October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Mansa, Sangrur district and Gurdaspur district, Punjab.
- Why
- The families’ relatives died in incidents linked to drugs or after speaking out against the drug trade.
BJP
AAP
Responsibility for the drug problem
BJP
Shah blamed the AAP government for pushing Punjab into drug abuse.
AAP
Kejriwal accused the BJP of failing to manage law and order in states it governs.
Political response
BJP
Shah said the Union government would track down people involved in the “chitta” trade and put them behind bars.
AAP
Kejriwal said the BJP was coming to Punjab to lecture people despite, he alleged, giving gangsters facilities to operate.
Gulzar Singh died by suicide after his son, who was addicted to drugs, named an AAP minister in a video statement, according to the Times of India.
Anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota was murdered in Mansa district, according to the Times of India.
The Home Ministry sought detailed reports from Punjab’s chief secretary on three incidents of drug-related deaths, according to the Times of India.
Shah was scheduled to visit Punjab and meet affected families; the articles differ on the date.
- Planned visit
- October 19, 2026, according to the Times of India; October 20, according to The Hindu
- Families named
- Parminder Singh Jhota, Gulzar Singh and Bikramjit Singh
- Meeting locations
- Mansa, Sangrur district and Gurdaspur district
- Jhota’s death
- October 13, in Mansa district, according to the Times of India
- Home Ministry request
- Detailed reports from Punjab’s chief secretary on three drug-related death incidents
7 sources
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What people are saying
Attempts to silence those who raise their voices against this dark drug trade will never succeed, and the people of the state will provide a befitting response
the Government of India will track down those involved in the 'chitta' trade and put them behind bars, ensuring that Punjab—and the entire country—is completely rid of this drug menace
They cannot manage law and order in their own states, yet they are coming to Punjab to lecture others.
all facets of the bereaved father’s statement be probed by the CBI