Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended the arrest of senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in connection with a drug smuggling case and hinted that more top politicians and officials could face similar action in the coming days.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters at his official residence in Chandigarh, Mann said that no one involved in Punjab\u2019s drug trade\u2014regardless of their political or bureaucratic stature\u2014would be spared. \u201cStrict action will be taken against all of them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Chief Minister said that earlier, opposition leaders used to complain that the \u201cbig crocodiles\u201d in drug smuggling were never touched. \u201cNow that we have taken action against them, the same leaders are calling it politically motivated. This exposes their double standards and confirms that many political figures are complicit,\u201d Mann said.<\/p>\n
He added that the state\u2019s \u2018war against drugs\u2019 initially targeted local smugglers and was now moving up the chain to those directing operations. Mann claimed that 80 to 90 per cent of the arrested smugglers have not been able to secure bail so far. \u201cThere will be no mercy and no recommendations will be entertained. I am answerable only to the people of Punjab,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Without directly naming Majithia, Mann said this was the first time that high-level political figures were facing accountability, and the response from the public had been largely supportive. \u201cPeople are calling from across Punjab. Panchayats are passing resolutions that they won\u2019t support bail for any drug smuggler,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Chief Minister also revealed that investigators had uncovered evidence of crores of rupees being transferred through hawala channels, which is now under probe. He said the current political situation in the state resembles \u201cAam Aadmi Party versus all other political parties.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis time, the Punjab government has taken a firm stand. Those who have caused devastation in people\u2019s homes will not be spared,\u201d Mann said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended the arrest of senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in connection with a drug smuggling case and hinted that more top politicians and officials could face similar action in the coming days. Speaking to reporters at his official residence in Chandigarh, Mann said that no one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":36822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,21,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest","category-political-news","category-punjab"],"yoast_head":"\n