Sultanpur Lodhi, August 20:
The ‘Apna Pind Sambhalo’ (Save Your Village) campaign launched by Rajya Sabha Member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal to free Punjab’s villages from the grip of drugs and protect the younger generation from deadly substances such as ‘chitta’ is receiving an overwhelming response. The campaign, which was launched from Village Seechewal 22 days ago, has now been joined by around 150 villages, with local residents coming forward themselves to take a stand against drug traffickers.
As part of the campaign, a special meeting was held on Thursday at Nirmal Kutiya, Sultanpur Lodhi, with panches and sarpanches from more than 50 villages. The meeting was chaired by Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal. Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora, DSP Sultanpur Lodhi Dhirendra Verma, Aam Aadmi Party in-charge for Sultanpur Lodhi constituency Sajjan Singh Cheema, SHO Davinderpal Singh, along with sarpanches, panches and representatives of various village panchayats, were present on the occasion. Villages Latian, Toti and Nasirewal remained at the centre of discussions during the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal said that the ‘Apna Pind Sambhalo’ campaign is now beginning to show results at the grassroots level. He said that during the past approximately one week, around 150 grams of heroin had been recovered at the village level, while eight motorcycles allegedly linked to drug trafficking had been seized and handed over to the police.
Sant Seechewal said that if people in every village take responsibility for protecting their own village, the supply of drugs can be stopped at the grassroots level. He stressed that young people struggling with addiction need treatment, support and rehabilitation rather than hatred.
He urged the police administration to issue a dedicated helpline number for reporting drug-related complaints, where people can provide information without fear and the identity of complainants can be kept completely confidential. Sant Seechewal said that saving one young person from drugs is equivalent to saving an entire family. He also demanded that police personnel allegedly involved in collusion with drug traffickers be identified and strict action be taken against them.
Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said that the ‘Apna Pind Sambhalo’ campaign being led by Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal is providing significant strength to the fight against drugs. He said that the role of society is the most important in preventing drug abuse and that the police administration stands with villagers and panchayats at every step.
SSP Gaurav Toora said that the police have issued a contact number, 9779100200, for providing information related to drugs. Complainants can share information while keeping their identity confidential.
During the meeting, village panchayats jointly pledged to further strengthen the anti-drug campaign in every village. The panches and sarpanches said that they would extend every possible support to help young people struggling with addiction reach de-addiction centres and receive treatment and rehabilitation.
Sajjan Singh Cheema, in-charge of the Sultanpur Lodhi constituency, said that the launch of the ‘Apna Pind Sambhalo’ campaign by Sant Seechewal is a major need of the hour. He said that villagers coming forward themselves against drugs is proof that awareness against drug abuse is increasing in society. He assured that full cooperation would be provided to take this campaign to every village.
