The Punjab government’s high-profile campaign against narcotics has come under renewed scrutiny after an exclusive undercover investigation by The Statesman found evidence suggesting that the illegal trade in synthetic heroin, commonly known as ‘Chitta’, continues to operate in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Assembly constituency of Dhuri.
The findings assume significance as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government has consistently projected its anti-drug drive as one of its flagship initiatives. Over the past several months, the state government has launched special enforcement campaigns, public awareness programmes and extensive publicity highlighting its resolve to eliminate drugs from Punjab. Senior ministers and police officials have repeatedly asserted that the administration is committed to dismantling drug networks and making the state drug-free.
Against these official claims, The Statesman‘s ground investigation paints a contrasting picture.
The investigation, conducted by The Statesman correspondent Neeraj Bali, was initially aimed at assessing the developmental status of Benra village, which Bhagwant Mann had adopted during his tenure as Member of Parliament. However, the visit took an unexpected turn after villagers alleged that, despite months of protests over inadequate development, another crisis was silently consuming the area. Residents spoke about the recent death of a local youth, who they claimed died after consuming ‘Chitta’, prompting this correspondent to examine the drug situation in the region.
After establishing contact with local drug users, this correspondent was taken to Bazigar Basti, a locality repeatedly identified by residents as one of the principal centres for the alleged sale of narcotics in the area.
During the undercover operation, this correspondent purchased a substance represented by sellers as ‘Chitta’ on three separate occasions for ₹1,400, ₹700 and ₹1,000. The transactions were carried out openly, while several addicts claimed that the substance remained readily available despite the government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign.
The investigation also documented disturbing scenes of drug abuse. One youth was found consuming the substance inside an abandoned structure, while others described how the alleged peddlers continued to operate in the locality. One addict told The Statesman, “It is being sold right here in the Chief Minister’s constituency.” Several residents further alleged that the narcotics trade continued despite the presence of CCTV cameras in parts of the area.
Seeking the administration’s response, The Statesman made repeated attempts to contact the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Sangrur. Correspondent Neeraj Bali called the SSP several times, but the phone remained switched off. Members of the SSP’s office later informed this correspondent that the officer would return the call. Despite follow-up attempts, no response was received. Eventually, officials in the SSP’s office advised this correspondent to speak with the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Dhuri.
When contacted, the DSP acknowledged that narcotics-related activities had been reported from Bazigar Basti. The officer confirmed that police had conducted several raids in the locality and recovered narcotics, including synthetic tablets, during previous operations.
The DSP further stated that police were prepared to initiate immediate action if provided with specific and actionable information regarding the identities or locations of those allegedly involved in drug trafficking. The officer requested this correspondent to share the sources behind the investigation so that police could conduct targeted raids against the alleged peddlers.
However, residents and drug users who interacted with The Statesman expressed reluctance to reveal their identities, citing fears of retaliation from those allegedly involved in the narcotics trade.
The findings of this investigation come at a time when the Punjab government continues to project its campaign against drugs through public statements, awareness drives and enforcement actions. However, the apparent ease with which the substance was procured during The Statesman‘s undercover operation in the Chief Minister’s own Assembly constituency is likely to raise fresh questions about the effectiveness of anti-drug enforcement at the grassroots level.
The investigation does not seek to suggest that law enforcement has taken no action. Police officials maintain that repeated raids have been conducted and narcotics have been seized. Yet the apparent continued availability of the substance, as documented during this investigation and alleged by residents, points to the persistent challenge posed by organised drug trafficking despite ongoing enforcement efforts.
For many residents of Dhuri, the promise of a drug-free Punjab remains an unfinished mission. As political claims of success continue to dominate the public discourse, the realities witnessed on the ground by The Statesman underscore the difficult task that still confronts the state in its effort to eliminate the drug menace from Punjab, even in the Chief Minister’s own constituency.