Open Drug Peddling Continues, AAP’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ Under Fire
FATEHGARH CHURIAN: The death of 21-year-old Vishal Masih, a resident of Fatehgarh Churian, has once again exposed the grim reality of Punjab’s drug crisis and raised serious questions over the AAP government’s much-publicised anti-drug drive ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’. Vishal died allegedly due to a drug overdose, with his family accusing the authorities of apathy and failure to provide timely medical treatment.
According to family members, drugs are being sold openly in the Fatehgarh Churian area, and despite repeated complaints, no effective action has been taken against drug smugglers. They alleged that Vishal was a victim of this unchecked menace and was left to die due to the collapse of both enforcement and healthcare response.
Locals said that when Vishal’s condition deteriorated, residents pooled money to admit him to a hospital, but by the time treatment could begin, it was already too late. The family claimed that no immediate medical help was arranged, highlighting serious gaps in emergency response for overdose cases.
Anguished family members staged a protest against what they termed government apathy, demanding strict action against drug smugglers and accountability of officials responsible for the failure to save their son. “Our children are dying and mothers are helpless. The government slogans mean nothing on the ground, ” a family member said.
Locals echoed the family’s allegations, asserting that narcotics are freely available in the area, while law enforcement has failed to dismantle the supply chain.
Responding to the incident, SHO Surinderpal Singh said that drug smugglers would be arrested and assured that drugs would not be allowed to be sold in the area. “Strict action will be taken against those involved in drug smuggling, ” he stated.
However, residents questioned why such assurances come only after a young life is lost, accusing the AAP government of turning its anti-drug campaign into a mere publicity exercise. They said Vishal’s death stands as a damning indictment of the failure of ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, which has so far failed to curb the drug trade at the grassroots level.
As Punjab continues to lose its youth to drugs, Vishal Masih’s death adds to a growing list of tragedies—leaving behind grieving parents and a society demanding justice, action, and an end to official indifference.