Punjab's Drug Crisis: Warring Accuses Mann of 'Pizza Delivery' Narcotics

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has sharply criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing his Aam Aadmi Party government of failing miserably to tackle Punjab worsening drug crisis. During a press conference on August 22, Warring shockingly claimed that narcotics are now being delivered straight to homes 'like pizza and burgers' and costing a hefty ₹3,500 for a single pouch, highlighting the crisis's alarming depth. He pointed to a tragic spike, with seven to eight drug-related deaths reported in the Malwa region alone between August 14 and 20, including a 16-year-old boy. This isn't just political banter; Warring's allegations directly challenge Chief Minister Mann's repeated promises and his government's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign, which claims to have arrested 70,000 smugglers and involved 1.25 lakh volunteers. The Congress leader questioned how deaths continue if the drug supply chain was supposedly broken by May 31, 2025, a deadline set by the government itself. He demanded accountability from senior police officials, including the Director General of Police and district Senior Superintendents of Police, who were meant to be held responsible for drug-related deaths in their areas after that date. The drug problem has reportedly 'quadrupled' under the current administration, with districts like Bathinda, Mansa, Ferozepur, and Fazilka hit hardest, and a distressing incident reported of a female athlete selling her baby for drugs. With the 2027 Punjab assembly elections on the horizon, the drug crisis is set to be a major battleground issue, and the Congress party's manifesto committee is already working on solutions. Warring's aggressive stance signals increased pressure on the Mann government to show concrete results beyond its ongoing awareness and rehabilitation efforts. The public will be closely watching for how the AAP government responds to these direct challenges and whether any high-ranking officials are held accountable, as the social stigma of drug addiction often leads to underreporting of incidents.