Attari (Amritsar): The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday promised to set up a special task force headed by a woman DGP to crack down on drug trafficking in the state if voted to power in the 2027 Punjab assembly elections.Its proposed mandate will include probing data collected by the members of the Mai Bhago Di Fauj and ensuring exemplary punishment for drug offenders, Bathinda MP and SAD functionary Harsimrat Kaur Badal said while addressing women gatherings at Attari and Rajasansi.She also appealed to Mai Bhago Di Fauj to launch a sustained mass movement against drugs on the lines of the kisan andolan (farmers’ agitation), arguing that women, who were among the worst affected by the menace, would have to take the lead.“I appeal to you to start a mass movement against drugs by forming jathas to make these messengers of death aware that you are fully organised to take them on. You should also start thikri pehra in your villages to deny access to drug traffickers,” Harsimrat added.She said the proposed task force would examine information gathered by Mai Bhago Di Fauj and ensure exemplary punishment for those involved in drug trafficking. A rehabilitation programme will also be launched for addicts. They will be provided skill training and loans to help them rebuild their lives.The Akali Dal functionary further promised a new law to deny bail to drug traffickers for 10 years and confiscate their properties to compensate victims.Accusing successive Congress dispensations and the current AAP govt of failing to curb drugs in the state, Harsimrat alleged that the menace had spread despite their promises to eradicate it. She claimed Punjab ranked first in drug smuggling and second in drug overdose deaths, while its national rankings in education and health had slipped to 18th.She also accused the AAP govt of betraying women by promising them Rs 60,000 but disbursing only Rs 3,000, alleging that the move was aimed at securing their votes.Harsimrat also credited the late Akali Dal veteran and former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal with introducing the Shagun and Atta-Dal schemes and distributing bicycles to girl students without making electoral guarantees.The Bathinda MP said the SAD would take responsibility for ending the drug menace if it formed govt in 2027.Harsimrat was accompanied by Gulzar Singh Ranike, Gurinderpal, and Kanwaljit Kaur.
