Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday met the family of Vikramjeet Singh, an anti-drug activist allegedly shot dead after opposing drug trafficking, during his visit to Punjab’s border district of Gurdaspur.
Punjab government hands jhota sase to CBI
The state government also announced that his case would be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), responding to a demand from the family. Earlier reporting noted: Amit Shah visits families of anti-drug victims in Punjab, promises CBI inquiry into Batala murder Amritsar/Sangrur: Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday visited the families of victims of drug-related violence in Punjab, sharpening his attack against the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the state’s law and order situation. Earlier reporting noted: In a post on X, Shah targeted the ruling state government: “Today, at the residence of the family of late Bikramjit Singh ji, who lost his life for raising his voice against the unchecked drug trade in Punjab under the AAP government, I met them in Gurdaspur and expressed my condolences…
The visit is part of the Home Minister’s Punjab tour to meet the families of three people whose deaths have drawn attention to the state’s drug menace. He is also scheduled to meet the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa and that of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur. The Union Home Ministry has also sought detailed reports from the Punjab government on the recent deaths. Ahead of Shah’s day-long visit, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government reiterated its support for the family of Parvinder Singh Jhota, who has been fighting against drug abuse. The growing web of drugs in Punjab and the emboldened drug traffickers have raised serious questions about the functioning of the AAP government. In the Bhagwant Mann government, on one hand, Punjab’s youth is falling prey to drugs, while on the other hand, those who raise their voices against it are not safe.”
Shah spent around 15 minutes with the family, which is learnt to have submitted a list of demands, including a fair investigation, a government job and financial assistance. Earlier reporting noted: Hours before Shah’s visit, chief minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the state government had decided to hand over the investigation into the October 13 murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Reacting to the state government’s decision, former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said the government had taken too long to order a CBI investigation.
