Chandigarh, October 1: Punjab Police arrested Attari Block President of Youth Congress' Anti-Narcotics Cell, Guriqbal Singh with after 2 gm of heroin on Sunday. A case has been registered against the Youth Congress leader, and he was sent to judicial custody. Singh was arrested from Hoshiar Nagar. The arrest was made just a day after reports surfaced that Punjab government plans to set up three more forensic chemical examiner laboratories to strengthen Comprehensive Action Against Drug Abuse (CADA).

The additional laboratories will help in speeding up the testing of drug samples. Currently, there are four forensic laboratories and one chemical examination laboratory to test the sample which are facing a huge backlog. According to a report published in The Times of India, Different samples from March 2017, are pending at the chemical examiner laboratory in Kharar. Navjot Singh Sidhu Sparks Another Controversy, Bats For Legalising Opium In Punjab

The state government is aiming to provide results of samples within a period of 30 days for timely police action. Police were also advised to submit chargesheet in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 cases at the earliest to avoid bail.

As a part of a drive to end drug menace in the state, In July, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh ordered a mandatory dope test of all government employees, including police personnel, from the time of their recruitment through every stage of their service. The Punjab Cabinet also recommended the death penalty for drug peddlers. Yesterday, Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu also advocated the legalisation of opium in the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2018 01:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).