Sangrur: Union home minister Amit Shah began his one-day visit to Punjab on Tuesday by meeting the families of people who died after allegedly raising their voices against drug trafficking in the state.
Shah first visited Mari Pannwan village in Gurdaspur district, where he met the family of Bikramjit Singh, who was allegedly murdered on October 15 for opposing drug trafficking in his area.
He then travelled to Toor Banjara village in Dirba subdivision of Sangrur district to meet the family of Gulzar Singh, who allegedly died by suicide on September 7.
His family has alleged that Gulzar faced harassment and caste-based remarks after questioning Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the alleged supply of drugs in the area. The family has said he subsequently consumed poison. These allegations have not been independently established.
Shah reached the village at around 2 pm and spent time with Gulzar’s family. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon accompanied him. The helipad had been set up at Dirba Mandi, around four kilometres from the village.
Sangrur deputy commissioner Poonamdeep Kaur, senior superintendent of police Ravjot Kaur and Jai Inder Kaur, Punjab BJP Mahila Morcha president and daughter of former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, were among those who received Shah.
Security was tightened across the town and village, with a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel. Media personnel were not allowed to approach the site.
After the meeting in Sangrur district, Shah was scheduled to visit Mansa to meet the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta, who was shot dead last week following an alleged dispute with a medical store owner. His killing has triggered protests across Punjab, with his family and supporters demanding a CBI investigation.
