Kumari Selja, General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, former Union Minister, and Sirsa MP, sharply criticized the Haryana police and the BJP-led state government for their failure to dismantle the sprawling network of drug smugglers plaguing the state. Speaking to the media, Selja highlighted the alarming spread of heroin, marijuana, opium, and other lethal drugs across Haryana, asserting that the state has become a favored hub for drug traffickers. “Why is the police unable to break the drug smugglers’ network when ordinary citizens know exactly where drugs are being sold and who is selling them?” she questioned, pointing to a glaring disconnect between public awareness and police inaction.
Selja emphasized that the drug mafia operates fearlessly, with smuggling routes well-known to locals but seemingly invisible to law enforcement. She noted that drugs primarily enter Haryana from Punjab, which borders Pakistan, with Sirsa and Fatehabad districts bearing the brunt of this influx. Additionally, consignments flow from Rajasthan to Rewari and then to the National Capital Region (NCR), as well as from Punjab to Delhi and other Haryana districts. “If common people are aware of these routes, why does the police department remain clueless?” she asked, questioning the efficacy of the state’s intelligence system. Selja suggested that either the intelligence network is weak or critical reports are being ignored, allowing smugglers to thrive unchecked.
Transitioning to the broader societal impact, Selja linked the rising drug problem to a surge in criminal activities across Haryana. “Addicts are resorting to theft, robbery, and violence to fund their addiction,” she stated, citing the growing number of drug users and the corresponding spike in demand for narcotics. She accused the BJP government of making hollow claims about cracking down on drug smugglers and seizing drugs worth crores, while the smuggling network continues to expand rapidly. “The echoes of the drug menace resonate at every crossroads and even in the state Assembly,” she remarked, underscoring the pervasive nature of the crisis.
In a call to action, Selja urged the government and police to adopt a war-like approach to dismantle the drug smugglers’ stronghold. She advocated for a multi-pronged strategy involving negotiation, persuasion, strict punishment, and targeted interventions to curb drug abuse and rehabilitate young addicts. “The safety of our youth ensures the safety of our nation’s future,” she declared, emphasizing the need to bring drug users back into mainstream society. Selja also stressed the importance of grassroots intelligence, suggesting that police engage directly with drug-affected families and communities to gather actionable insights. “Villages declared drug-free still witness ongoing drug trade,” she pointed out, dismissing superficial measures like resolutions for drug-free panchayats as inadequate. Instead, she demanded stringent action to uproot the drug trade at its core.
On the same day, Selja visited Sirsa, Ellenabad, Chopta, and Dabwali to offer condolences to families mourning the loss of loved ones. She paid respects at the residences of Bhup Singh Bhambhu, father of Rajpal Bhambhu, and Prakash Chand Bansal, father of Sanjeev Garg, in Sirsa. She also visited families grieving the deaths of Vinod Hitler, Rohtas Mehra, Brij Lal Soni, and Pawan Babbar, along with his wife and son, in Dabwali. Accompanied by Kalanwali MLA Shishpal Kehrwala, Rajkumar Sharma, and Naveen Kedia, Selja prayed for the departed souls. She consoled the bereaved families, demonstrating her commitment to her constituents during their time of grief.
Selja’s scathing remarks serve as a wake-up call for the Haryana government and police to intensify efforts against the drug menace. As the state grapples with rising addiction and related crimes, her demand for accountability and decisive action resonates with citizens frustrated by the unchecked spread of drugs. The government must now prioritize robust enforcement, community engagement, and rehabilitation to reclaim Haryana from the grip of drug smugglers and secure a brighter future for its youth.
