Rahul to visit Sangrur on Nov 4, meet families hit by drugs, gang violence

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit Sangrur on November 4 to meet families affected by drug abuse and gang violence, Punjab Congress working president Dr Raj Kumar Verka said at a press conference in Amritsar. The party has set a target of mobilising more than one lakh people for a rally during the visit.

Verka said the rally would highlight concerns over drug-related deaths, gang violence and the law and order situation in Punjab. He added that the Congress was holding meetings across the state’s districts to mobilise support for the event.

The Congress leader accused the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government of failing to control drug trafficking and maintain law and order. He specifically criticised the situation in Sangrur, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home district, and alleged that the state government had failed to ensure public safety.

Verka also accused the Centre, led by the BJP, of failing to stop the alleged smuggling of drugs and weapons through drones across Punjab’s international border. He described the situation as “narco-terrorism” and criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the issue.

Referring to the reported death of a 17-year-old in the Ajnala area due to a drug overdose, Verka said the incident reflected the seriousness of the drug problem. He alleged that authorities were targeting smaller traffickers while major suppliers continued to operate with influence. These allegations were not independently verified.

Verka said Rahul Gandhi would meet affected families during his visit. He added that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior Congress leaders were expected to visit Punjab later, with rallies planned in the Malwa and Doaba regions.

The Congress leader claimed that his party was the only viable political alternative for Punjab and pledged to continue raising questions about drug abuse, public safety and governance.