Shah, Mann Trade Charges Over Drugs; Shah Seeks Answers on Punjab, Mann Questions Kandla Seizure and BSF Border Security

**Chandigarh, October 16:** Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his allegations that the drug trade was flourishing in Punjab under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, asking him to examine the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) own record in tackling narcotics trafficking. Mann cited major drug seizures at Gujarat’s Kandla port and questioned how large quantities of narcotics continued to enter the country through states governed by the BJP. He also referred to Rajasthan and Haryana, alleging that drug trafficking could not be viewed solely as a Punjab-specific problem. “The BSF has jurisdiction of 50 km from the borders. We have confiscated drugs as massive as 3,000 kg from Kandla port. Who has been in power for all these years in Gujarat? It’s the BJP. It comes via Rajasthan and Haryana, and who is in power there? It’s again the BJP. But they curse us,” Mann said while addressing the media. The Chief Minister also referred to the previous Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government, which ruled Punjab from 2007 to 2017, alleging that the BJP had supported its alliance partner despite the drug menace in the state. Mann’s remarks came after Shah accused the AAP government of failing to tackle drug trafficking, gangsterism and organised crime in Punjab. The exchange has intensified the political confrontation between the BJP and AAP over the state’s drug problem. Earlier on Friday, Shah said the Centre would seek responses from the Punjab government over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa and the death of Gulzar Singh in Dirba, who allegedly consumed poison after publicly questioning the availability of heroin in the state. Questioning Punjab’s law and order situation, Shah said the state was grappling with growing threats from drugs, gangsterism and organised crime. “Punjab is today grappling with the rising threats of drugs, gangsterism, and organised crime. The biggest question before the Bhagwant Mann government is: who will ultimately take responsibility for the safety of Punjab’s people?” Shah said. Referring to the two incidents, Shah said Jhota’s killing and Gulzar Singh’s death had raised serious questions about public safety. He added that Jhota’s father had levelled grave allegations against the AAP government and its MLA. The Home Ministry would seek the state government’s response in both cases, he said. “The people of Punjab do not want publicity — they want answers; not announcements, but results,” Shah said, urging the Mann government to take effective action against drug networks. The Home Minister also reiterated the BJP’s promise to build a “drug-free, gangster-free, and secure Punjab” if the party formed the government in the state, pledging strict action against criminals and protection for young people. The exchange has intensified the political battle over drug trafficking and public safety, with Mann questioning the BJP’s record in states it governs and Shah demanding answers from the Punjab government over the incidents in Mansa and Dirba.