Punjab Drug Crisis: Amit Shah To Meet Families Of Anti-Drug Activists Killed In State

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has accused the Punjab government of worsening the state’s drug crisis and warned that attempts to silence people exposing the narcotics trade would fail.

Shah is set to meet the families of those killed after speaking out against drugs, as the Centre steps up its focus on Punjab’s battle against the synthetic drug ‘chitta’.

The Union Home Ministry has sought a report from Punjab’s Chief Secretary on three drug-related deaths, amid concerns over threats and violence against anti-drug activists.

Unidentified assailants reportedly shot dead anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhotta and 40-year-old Bikramjit Singh.

In another case, Maninderjeet Singh Sidhu faced an abetment-to-suicide case after drug dealer Sukhjinder Singh alias Chinda died by suicide following a video exposing the drug trade.

Gulzar Singh reportedly died by suicide after facing pressure to apologise for questioning the availability of chitta at a public meeting.

Chitta, an adulterated opioid derived from heroin, continues to raise concerns over drug addiction and criminal activity in Punjab.

Smugglers reportedly bring narcotics into the state through the Golden Crescent route, which includes Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Officials have warned that criminal networks exploit vulnerable youths to collect drone-dropped consignments, distribute narcotics and transport smuggled weapons. Some recruits may, however, face pressure to carry out targeted killings.

The Centre has called for better coordination between central and state agencies to curb trafficking, dismantle criminal networks and protect people who expose the drug trade.

The issue could, however, become a major point of contention between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Punjab’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

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