States » NorthPosted at: Oct 20 2026 4:52PM


CM Mann accuses Centre of failing to stop drug trafficking, calls Shah's visit political publicity

Chandigarh, Oct 20 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday accused the BJP-led central government of failing to curb drug trafficking through Gujarat, Rajasthan and the Pakistan border, alleging that union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Punjab was driven by political publicity rather than a genuine commitment to tackling the state's drug menace.
Addressing a press conference coinciding with Shah's visit to the families of three victims, Mann alleged that the Centre was attempting to malign Punjab while ignoring its own responsibility for preventing cross-border narcotics smuggling.
"Amit Shah is the country's Home Minister and is free to visit Punjab whenever he wishes. But the BJP is projecting his visit as a mission to save Punjab and make it drug-free. I have a few questions for the Home Minister," Mann said.
The Chief Minister, who recently returned from France, had earlier announced a CBI investigation into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.
Mann questioned the BJP's record during its alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal, alleging that drug trafficking had flourished in Punjab between 2007 and 2017.
"The seeds of the drug menace grew into a massive problem during the Akali-BJP government's tenure. Drugs were arriving in quintals. Why did you not remember Punjab then? Why was no action taken?" he asked.
Mann alleged that demands for a CBI investigation against Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia had been ignored because of the BJP's political alliance with the Akali Dal.
Turning to the movement against the now-repealed central farm laws, Mann questioned why Shah had not visited the families of farmers who died during the prolonged protests on Delhi's borders.
"More than 700 farmers lost their lives during the agitation. Why did you not visit their families or express sympathy? The Punjab government provided compensation of Rs 5 lakh each and government jobs to the affected families," he said.
The Chief Minister also accused the Centre of failing to prevent narcotics trafficking through ports in Gujarat and across the international border.
"Drugs are coming from Gujarat. Consignments weighing thousands of kilograms have been seized at ports linked to Adani. Why are such shipments not being stopped?" Mann asked.
He also alleged that Rajasthan was grappling with a serious drug problem while Haryana had become a breeding ground for gangsters.
Questioning the Centre's border-security arrangements, Mann referred to the Border Security Force's expanded jurisdiction of up to 50 kilometres from the international border in Punjab.
"You are the Home Minister of the country. Why are you not stopping drugs coming from Pakistan? Why do you remember Punjab only when elections approach?" he asked.
Mann accused the BJP leadership of exploiting tragic incidents for political advantage.
"Unfortunately, you have stooped to such a low level of politics," he said.
The Chief Minister's remarks came as Shah visited Gurdaspur, Sangrur and Mansa to meet families affected by killings and an alleged harassment-linked suicide, intensifying the political confrontation between the AAP government and the BJP over Punjab's drug crisis.
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Tags: #CM Mann accuses Centre of failing to stop drug trafficking# calls Shah's visit political publicity
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