Punjab’s ‘most notorious, feared’ drug lord put behind bars: Kejriwal

The North News

Chandigarh, July 31

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said that one of Punjab’s most “notorious and politically shielded” drug lords is now behind bars, in a public statement designed to reinforce the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) anti-narcotics and governance narrative. Speaking at a commemorative event in Sunam, the birthplace of  revolutionary Udham Singh, Kejriwal positioned the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the state’s long-running struggle against drug trafficking—an issue that has plagued Punjab for more than two decades and remains politically sensitive.

“The most feared drug kingpin in Punjab is now in jail. No one dared touch him before. We did,” Kejriwal said, refraining from naming the individual but suggesting prior political complicity had enabled impunity.

While in his address, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that it is the duty of the state government to pay tributes to such legendary martyrs who had laid down their lives for the sake of the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that naming the airports, universities and other institutions in the name of these iconic martyrs is important to perpetuate their glorious legacy. He said that the countrymen are enjoying the fruits of freedom due to the enormous sacrifices made by legendary heroes like Shaheed Udham Singh.

The Chief Minister said that Shaheed Udham Singh was a true son of soil, who had in a heroic act exhibited exemplary courage by killing Michael O’ Dwyer, the prime perpetrator of Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Bhagwant Mann said that the unprecedented sacrifice made by this iconic martyr at the altar of national freedom struggle helped the country to overthrow the yoke of British Imperialism. He further said that Shaheed Udham Singh waited for 21 years to avenge the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh and thus laid the foundation of the freedom of the nation.

The Chief Minister said that Shaheed Udham Singh killed Sir Michael O’ Dwyer in Caxton Hall adding that the Britishers conferred the title of Sir to their stooges. He said that one such title was given to the family which organized dinner for General Dyer on the same day when he conducted the barbaric Jallianwala Bagh massacre in April 1919. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that scion of this traitor family, which was involved in the drug trade, has been now lodged in the Nabha jail by the state government for ruining generations of Punjab.

The Chief Minister said that he had been regularly paying visits to the Caxton Hall where Shaheed Udham Singh had taken revenge on millions of Indians. He said that it is unfortunate that even after more than 75 years of freedom the benefits of freedom have still not reached every household. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that those in power had misused the freedom to spread the tentacles of chitta (drugs), amass wealth by plundering the masses, encouraging corruption along with other menaces.

The Chief Minister said that the successive Prime Ministers have delivered almost the same statements during their Independence Day speeches from the Red Fort. He said that it is the irony of the country that these leaders have delivered only theatricals to the people and masses are still far away from even basic amenities. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the dreams of martyrs like Shaheed Udham Singh have still not been realized as these people have never made any concerted effort in this regard.

The Chief Minister said that the Aam Aadmi Party is making tireless efforts to realize the dreams of the legendary martyrs adding that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that this government is making concerted efforts in this regard. He said that every inch of this sacred land has the footprint of great Gurus, saints, seers and martyrs, who have shown us the way to oppose tyranny, injustice and oppression. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has been making efforts to ensure the comprehensive development of the state and prosperity of its people.

The Chief Minister further said that Arvind Kejriwal is credited for bringing sectors like health, education, employment, power, water and infrastructure at the centre stage of national politics. He said that these sectors are the top priorities of his government and no stone is being left unturned for it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that while the other political parties have always pursued the agenda of hatred and divisiveness, AAP under Kejriwal had given new direction to politics by according top priority to these sectors.

Highlighting another major welfare initiative, the Chief Minister spoke about the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna — the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. He proudly stated that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which will significantly ease the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this historic move is aimed at providing universal health care to all the families of the state.

The Chief Minister said that 55,000 government jobs have been given so far to the youth of the state, Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened to impart quality health services to people, schools have been renovated across the state, canal water is reaching at the tail ends to benefit the farmers, 90% households are getting free power adding that several more pro-people initiatives are being taken. He said that Punjabis are born entrepreneurs and leaders due to which they have excelled in every arena across the globe adding that the hard work and resilience of the Punjabis is unmatched owing to which they shine in every sphere. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is making all out efforts to utilise this spirit properly for progress of the state and carve out a ‘Rangla Punjab’.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister and Arvind Kejriwal felicitated the descendents of Shaheed Udham Singh. Earlier, the Cabinet Minister Aman Arora welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries to the sacred land.

Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema, Lalji Singh Bhullar, Dr Ravjot, Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Barinder Kumar Goyal and Hardeep Singh Mundian, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Deputy Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Jai Kishan Singh Rouri, MLAs Amansher Singh Sherry Kalsi, Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy, Prof Baljinder kaur and others were also present.