Hunt on for five youths for cross-border peddling

Gurbaxpuri

Tarn Taran, April 19

The Khalra police have booked five persons of the area for their “involvement in cross-border drug smuggling”. Besides, they have also been blamed for the drowning of a youth, Navjot Singh Joti (26), of Dal village, 45 km from here. Navjot drowned in the defence drain on April 16.

The police said the accused were identified as Angrej Singh, Major Singh, alias Khatri, Joga Singh, Dilbag Singh of Dal village and Gopi, alias Mirza, of Sursing village.

Deceased’s father Sakattar Singh stated to the police that Angrej, Major Joga and Dilbag took away Navjot Singh Joti on the pretext of attending some marriage function on April 16. “On April 12, Gopi had contacted Pakistan-based drug smugglers, who had planned to throw heroin to the Indian side on April 16. The peddlars went to the pre-planned site through the defence drain and took my son, who didn’t know swimming. All of them swam through the drain barring Navjot, who drowned,” the complainant said.

Sub-Inspector Amarjit Kumar, SHO, Khalra police station, said the accused were absconding and raids were being conducted at their possible hideouts.

Sections 304, 34 of the IPC, and 21, 29, 61, 85 of the NDPS Act have been slapped.

April 16 episode

• Navjot Singh Joti (26) of Dal village drowned in defence drain on April 16 following which drug peddling came to light.  
• Deceased's father said Angrej Singh, Major Singh, Joga Singh, Dilbag Singh and Gopi took Navjot along with them on the pretext of attending a marriage.
• They went towards the border to receive heroin from Pakistan-based peddlars who had thrown heroin to the Indian side.
• Since Navjot didn't know swimming, he drowned and others fled.