Jind: Khap panchayats from across Haryana will gather at Hisar’s Surewala chowk on Oct 22 to discuss the growing drug menace and decide their future course of action. Police action against journalists will also be a key agenda item at the mahapanchayat. Khap leaders said more than 300 khap panchayats are expected to participate in the gathering, where important decisions on the ongoing issues will be taken. Addressing the mahapanchayat, Binain Khap president Raghuvir Nain said drug abuse had emerged as a major concern in Haryana and required urgent attention. He urged the government to take the issue seriously, alleging that drugs were being sold in various parts of the state.“The time has come to take strict action to save the coming generations from the menace of drugs,” Nain said. Anil Godara, representative of the sarpanch of Rajthal village in the Hansi district, said nearly 30 youths from his village had fallen prey to chitta (heroin) addiction. He said a community night-watch system, known as thikri pehra, had been in place in the village for nearly two months to curb drug-related activities.Godara said drug supplies had earlier originated from his village, but villagers had managed to curb the activity to a considerable extent through collective efforts. He further claimed that around 400 youths suspected of drug addiction had been identified or apprehended during community night patrols in different parts of Haryana. Some were handed over to the police, while others were entrusted to their families, he added.
