Vows More Big Arrests Soon, Says Majithia Case Unmasks Deep Political Nexus in Narcotics Trade

THE NEWS DOSE WEB DESK
Chandigarh | June 26,UPDATED:4.35PM
Taking a hard line against drug kingpins in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday declared that the state’s anti-narcotics crackdown has entered a decisive phase where even the most powerful will no longer be spared. “After acting against the small fish, it is now the turn of the ‘Jarnails’—the generals of the drug empire—to face the consequences of their crimes,” the Chief Minister said.

Addressing a press conference at his official residence, Mann reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the drug menace from Punjab. He stated that several low-level peddlers and area-specific smugglers have already been jailed in recent months, and the net is now closing in on the masterminds who operated from behind the scenes with impunity for years.

“These so-called ‘untouchables’ thought they could never be touched because of their political clout. That era is over,” Mann said. “No matter how high and mighty, anyone involved in the drug trade will be held accountable under the law.”

In a pointed reference to the arrest of senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, the Chief Minister said that the case marks a significant milestone in Punjab’s anti-drug campaign. He claimed that Majithia’s arrest has “exposed the unholy alliance of traditional political parties” that, for decades, protected and profited from the drug network in Punjab.

Calling it a “people-backed war,” Mann said the government’s “Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh” (War Against Drugs) campaign has gained widespread public support, transforming it into a grassroots movement. Village panchayats across the state have begun passing anti-drug resolutions, he noted, terming it a welcome sign of social awakening.

The Chief Minister revealed that a trove of crucial evidence—including 29 mobile phones, 8 laptops, and incriminating documents—was recovered during the Vigilance Bureau’s raid at Majithia’s Amritsar residence. He also claimed that investigators have uncovered records of hawala transactions, shell firms, and foreign investments linked to key players in the network. “We are in possession of strong, admissible evidence—this is not a witch-hunt,” Mann asserted. “These are not mere allegations; they are backed by financial records, digital trails, and confessions.”

Responding to allegations of political vendetta, the Chief Minister dismissed them as baseless. “How can this be called vendetta when the people of Punjab have overwhelmingly rejected the opposition at the ballot box? These parties are now crying foul to shield their own complicity,” he said.

Bhagwant Mann warned that more prominent political figures could soon face arrest as investigations widen. “We will not stop here. More big fish will be netted in the coming days,” he declared, hinting at further high-profile action. He also said that the state is exploring legal provisions to confiscate or demolish properties acquired through proceeds of the drug trade.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the crackdown is being conducted strictly within the framework of law and due process. “Every rupee earned through illegal means will be traced. Every link in the supply and laundering chain—upstream or downstream—will be investigated and prosecuted,” he said.

Asserting that the era of political patronage for drug smugglers is coming to an end, Mann concluded, “This government owes it to the youth of Punjab to end this menace. We will stop at nothing to make Punjab drug-free.”