Panchayats pass resolutions against bailing out peddlers

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 11

Following an initiative by the Patiala police, all village panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the district have passed resolutions against furnishing bail bonds for drug peddlers.

In response to a call given by the police, all panchayats and wards of the district have passed resolutions against the menace of drugs and pledged to refrain from helping the smugglers in any which way.

Amanpreet Virk, sarpanch, Mirzapur, Patiala, thanked the Punjab Government for community engagement initiatives regarding drugs. “No one from my village will furnish bail bonds for any drug peddler. We have collectively decided not to approach anyone in support of anybody who sells or buys drugs in the village. We will furnish the information on drug peddling to the police whenever it comes to our notice,” said Amanpreet.

Major Singh, sarpanch, Rakhra village also came forward, along with the elderly, and said: “If we want to save the youth of Punjab from the curse of drugs, everyone should join hands with the government and the local police in their efforts to curb the flow of narcotics in the area. We promise the government that no one from our village will support anyone found engaged in drug peddling.”

Patiala SSP Vikram Jeet Duggal said: “Resolutions have been passed by all panchayats/ councils in the district to extend full cooperation to the police and not assist drug smugglers in getting bail or give testimony in their favour.”

“I extend my gratitude to each and everyone in over 1,200 panchayats/ councils in the district for extending support to us. With the help of the local community, our drive against drugs has been running smoothly. Recently, many drugs related POs were arrested with the help of the local youth and properties of the fugitives worth crores were attached.”

The SSP said his team worked very hard for the past 10 days, especially all SHOs and village police officers, in conducting awareness in the area on the issue of narcotics. “I am sure, together we will be able to achieve great results in eliminating the demand as well as supply of drugs,” he added.