Fearing Punjab-like drug menace in Haryana, members of legislative Assembly (MLAs) on Wednesday called for me stringent measures to check…
Abhay Singh Chautala (Photo: Sahil Walia)
Fearing Punjab-like drug menace in Haryana, members of legislative Assembly (MLAs) on Wednesday called for me stringent measures to check the free availability of illegal drugs and liquor.
Speaking on a “calling attention motion” during the on-going budget session of the Assembly, cutting across party lines MLAs expressed concern over the illegal sale of liquor, opium, bhukki, heroin, smack and chitta( a synthetic drug).
“Sale of drugs and illegal liquor through unauthorised small shops is rampant in Haryana. Smugglers are having a free run and they are playing with the lives and future of youngsters. If the situation is not controlled, it could get worse than the drug menace in Punjab,” Congress legislator, Karan Singh Dadal said.
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The leader of Opposition and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader, Abhay Singh Chautala, said smuggling of drugs and liquor is rampant.
“In my own village (Chautala in Sirsa district), about 60 per cent of youngsters aged 15-16 to 22-23 are addicted to drugs as drug smugglers are giving free supply deep into villages.
The situation is same in neighbouring 20 to 30 villages. This is despite the fact that there is a full-fledged police station in my village. The drug smugglers are thriving under police patronage,” he said.
Chautala said in order to make payments for drugs, addicts are indulging in petty crimes like snatchings and thefts. “Like Punjab, Haryana is getting bad name because of this,” he added.
Replying to the “calling attention motion”, cabinet minister Ram Vilas said the state government is extremely serious on the matter of illicit sale as well as the illicit use of intoxicating substances such as liquor, opium, poppy husk, ganja, charas, heroin and smack.
“It is incorrect to state that there is no check on this menace by the concerned authorities. ln fact, a multi-pronged approach has been adopted on the issue by the authorities with a view to prevent, detect and punish the criminals indulging in such illegal activities,” he said.
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