Drug Menace in Punjab: CM Amarinder Singh Announces Provision to Detain Drug Peddlers Without Trial
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday announced setting up of an Advisory Board to enable detention of drug smugglers for a year without trial during a meeting to review the functioning of the Special Task Force (STF) set up to wipe out the menace of drugs from the state.
Chandigarh, December 28: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday announced setting up of an Advisory Board to enable detention of drug smugglers for a year without trial . The decision was taken during a meeting to review the functioning of the Special Task Force (STF) to wipe out the menace of drugs from the state. The CM also announced a separate Drug Division under Health Department to centralise and synergise de-addiction efforts of government and private centres. Day After CM Amarinder Singh Orders Dope Test For Government Employees, Oppostion Slams Move; Videos Of Punjab Police High on Drugs Gone Viral.
The proposed Advisory Board will be constituted under Prevention of Illicit Traffic (PIT) in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act with the aim of allowing detention of drug smugglers without trial for a year. During the review meeting, Captain Singh said that officials posted in the respective police stations will now be held directly accountable if drugs are seized from their area.
Earlier in July, the chief minister of the state had recommended the Centre to ensure capital punishment for drug peddlers. As part of a drive to eradicate drug menace, the Punjab government in its order made dope test mandatory for all government employees. Meanwhile, according to a recent study, 70 percent of youth in Punjab are indulged in drugs.
(With inputs from IANS)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2018 12:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).