Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has sought the cooperation of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh (HP), Rajasthan and Delhi in fighting the drug menace.

In separate letters to Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, HP CM Jai Ram Thakur, Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje and Union home minister Rajnath Singh to whom the Delhi Police reports, Amarinder sought cooperation in controlling the cultivation and smuggling of narcotics.

He said it should be ensured that no safe havens are allowed to drug peddlers and smugglers in their respective regions.

Noting that drug abuse was seriously threatening the future of our next generation, Amarinder said that while he was committed not to let this happen, he would urge them, too, to extend their full and active support in formulating and implementing measures being taken by Punjab to check the menace.

In his letter to the CMs, Amarinder has requested each of them to advise the enforcement agencies including the police, of their respective states to coordinate with the Punjab Police to make joint efforts in curbing the drug menace.

He also requested the CMs to impress upon the Union government for a National Policy on Prevention and Control on Drug Abuse, which he said was necessary to regulate and prevent drugs in the country, and also for cooperation and coordination amongst the neighbouring States.

“Punjab Police, who are actively chasing the drug paddlers and smugglers, have gathered a lot of intelligence in this regard and they can surely share this with the police and other enforcement agencies of your state,” he added.

The Punjab CM, in his communique to the Union home minister, said that as per available information, drug peddlers and smugglers had disappeared from Punjab and were hiding in the neighbouring States.

Apart from smuggling from across the international border, there were reports about smuggling of drugs to Punjab through the neighbouring states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi, he said.

Amarinder said plantation of drugs was also a cause of worry for Punjab as a lot of the produce was being exported from the drug growing states to his state.

He further said the police of the Union Territory of Delhi, which as per available information is fast becoming a safe haven for drug peddlers and smugglers, is under the direct control and supervision of the Union home ministry. “I seek your indulgence in the matter for directing the Delhi Police to formulate an effective strategy to check and control drug peddling and smuggling,” Amarinder added.

He urged Rajnath to advise Delhi Police to work in close coordination with the Police of the neighbouring states, including the Punjab Police, in their endeavour to obliterate drugs from the society.