Punjab Minister Slams Opposition Over Sangrur Drug Row
Chandigarh: A political firestorm has erupted in Punjab following a harrowing incident in Sangrur, where a local man, Jagseer Singh (also known as Jagga), attempted to end his life outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The incident, which saw Jagga consume a poisonous substance after leveling accusations regarding the illegal drug trade in his village, has drawn sharp reactions from both the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the state’s opposition parties.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora has launched a scathing attack on the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), accusing these parties of engaging in “dirty and low-level politics” to undermine the state government. Arora contends that the opposition is intentionally misrepresenting the facts of the case to tarnish the image of the AAP administration.
A Question of Motive and Record
The controversy centers on the characterization of Jagga Singh. While opposition leaders have painted him as a whistleblower and a courageous crusader against the drug menace, Minister Arora claims the reality is significantly more complex.
According to records shared by the minister and corroborated by Sangrur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ravjot Grewal, Jagga Singh is far from a clean-slate activist. Official police data indicates that he has nine FIRs registered against him, spanning charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, excise-related offenses, and a case of rape. Officials noted that four of these cases have already resulted in convictions, while four others remain under judicial trial.
“Opposition parties are choosing to ignore the criminal background of an individual just to defame our government,” Arora stated. “They should be apologizing to the public for peddling a false narrative instead of politicizing a sensitive situation.”
Police Investigation Underway
The Sangrur police are conducting a preliminary inquiry into the incident. SSP Ravjot Grewal explained that the department became aware of the situation on September 12, when Jagga uploaded a social media video threatening self-harm if his grievances were not addressed. Following the video, authorities registered a Daily Diary Report (DDR) under Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS) and alerted the area magistrate.
The investigation is currently exploring allegations that Jagga was being manipulated by political elements. The local panchayat, which has been actively working to curb the sale of narcotics in the area, has alleged that Jagga is naming its members in an attempt to settle personal scores related to his own alleged involvement in the local drug trade.
The Political Divide
For the AAP leadership, the incident is a classic case of political opportunism. Minister Arora insists that the village panchayat in Namol has been making legitimate efforts to clear their community of drugs, yet they are being unfairly targeted by opposition leaders looking to score cheap political points.
As Jagga Singh undergoes medical treatment—having been moved from the Sangrur Civil Hospital to the Rajindra Hospital in Patiala due to his critical condition—the legal and political battle in Punjab continues to intensify. With the police investigation still in its early stages, the state remains divided over whether the incident reflects a genuine failure of the administration or a calculated smear campaign by political rivals.
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