Bhatinda, first published Feb 11, 2022, 6:01 PM IST
With poll fever gaining traction, illicit brewing of alcohol continues unabated in the state of Punjab. Alcohol is a powerful tool in the hands of politicians to seduce voters not only in the countryside but also in the cities.
Code words like ‘English buffalo’, ‘small and desi buffalo’ are used for free alcohol distribution. However, the electoral commission had issued a warning against the gifts and formed monitoring teams. Party leaders and workers are under scanner, yet illicit distribution has not ceased. This exposes the main reason why state leaders do not talk about the drug problem in Punjab.
According to Harpal Singh Cheema, president of Bathinda Nasha Hatao Youth Rescue Organization, the leaders’ supporters distribute the alcohol in the evening in different settlements. Intoxicant is distributed under the guise of propaganda. He confirmed the code words used in the distribution, big buffalo is the English wine box and small buffalo means a country wine box.
Cheema also added that the problems lie when leaders speak the other way and act the other way. He said we receive threats if we report the actions. Several complaints to the police are registered, but no response. Speaking of the same problem, social worker Sadhuram Kusala added spikes in bootlegging during the elections. They are concerned about the distribution of any intoxicant to people that should not be lethal.
Distributors supply people with cheap intoxicants under code names; they fear their conversations will be recorded, Kusala said. This mostly occurs in rural areas and city slums.
Kusala claimed that the leaders promised to tackle drug traffickers and state mafias, but their actions speak otherwise. He said that people must take the lead otherwise politicians will continue to exploit them to win elections. He also urged non-governmental organizations (NGOs), especially women, to join in the fight against the threat of drugs.
Kusala urged all Punjabis not to vote for such candidates who engage in reverse actions for Punjab. Dr S Karuna Raju, Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab, said drugs worth Rs 82 crore were seized in 22 days; this includes poisoning worth more than 74 crores and intoxicants worth around seven and a half crores. He said efforts are being made to combat drug addiction. A large number of raw spirits was also seized. The commission attempts to reduce drug abuse.
Paramilitary forces and police are carrying out operations from the border all the way to the state, Raju said. He urged voters to take the initiative in the same direction. Their cooperation would help prevent the problem, Raju said. He confirmed the intensification of surveillance of these areas, where information on drugs is received.
As of February 8, 2022, assets worth Rs 399.64 crore have been seized in connection with the breach of the code of conduct. Meanwhile, surveillance teams seized 41.66 liters of alcohol worth Rs 23.70 crore, and the Enforcement Wing seized narcotics worth Rs 314.75 crore. Apart from this, anonymous cash worth Rs 25.63 crore was also seized.
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Last updated Feb 11, 2022 6:02 PM IST