Jalandhar: Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh RandhawaThe Home Department official said that Punjab has the highest consignment of drugs coming from Delhi and a large quantity is reaching the country through ports. Speaking to TOI on Friday, Randhawa also reminded former CM Amarinder Singh that he had alleged nexus of BSF and Pakistan Rangers in 2016 but is now justifying the increased jurisdiction of BSF in Punjab.
“Only a small amount is being pushed from the international border, and that too requires the BSF to keep its vigil within a limited width of 100-200 metres. If drugs or any weapon can cross that limited width which should be kept under strict surveillance then only BSF is responsible. If they can’t properly defend the width, which is their main job, why should they have jurisdiction 50 km deep inside the border? he said.
The Deputy CM said that his interrogation with police officials revealed that in most of the cases of seizures, peddlers have been found bringing heroin from Delhi and there have even been cases of consignments coming from Jammu. “Most of the drug consignments are coming from the opposite direction to Punjab, that is from Delhi and not from the international border. The BSF alone is responsible and responsible for whatever quantity is coming or being pushed through the international border. So there is no argument to increase its jurisdiction.”
“Large quantities are coming in, though there has been an increase in the consumption of drugs and drugs across the country. The central government should be more concerned about ports. The biggest ever seizure of around 3,000 kg of heroin came from a port in Gujarat, but they are pushing the narrative of the Punjab border. Such a huge seizure shows that the level of consumption is rising across the country,” he argued.
Over the years, Punjab Police has also arrested foreign nationals, including women, who were involved in bringing drugs from Delhi. In the first week of July last, a joint operation by Punjab and Delhi Police seized 17 kg of heroin from a farmhouse in Delhi’s Sainik Farms and arrested four Afghan nationals. Kapurthala police had seized 20 kg heroin being brought from Jammu on August 31 last.
Randhawa also pointed to the contrast of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s stand in 2016, when he accused the BSF-Pak Rangers nexus and his current stand on the increased jurisdiction of the BSF. “During his tenure (as CM), he (Amarinder) always defended Punjab Police and now suddenly he is getting fond of BSF. They should explain the contrast in their position,” he said.
Capt Amarinder Singh on BSF-Pak Rangers nexus in 2016
In March 2016, while addressing a public event in Amritsar, Captain Amarinder Singh alleged a nexus between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers to promote drug smuggling. At an event hosted by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Amarinder was heard saying, “When I was the Chief Minister, I met the then Home Minister LK Advani and told him about the tie-up between the BSF and Pak Rangers. I suggested that to break that nexus, the BSF’s platoons be changed every year instead of two years, so that one platoon is shifted before the alliance develops. He said ‘it will be very expensive’ but I said it will not be more expensive than the lives of the people of Punjab… A few days ago, didn’t you see a professionally built underground tunnel? Is this possible without the nexus of Rangers and BSF?
“Only a small amount is being pushed from the international border, and that too requires the BSF to keep its vigil within a limited width of 100-200 metres. If drugs or any weapon can cross that limited width which should be kept under strict surveillance then only BSF is responsible. If they can’t properly defend the width, which is their main job, why should they have jurisdiction 50 km deep inside the border? he said.
The Deputy CM said that his interrogation with police officials revealed that in most of the cases of seizures, peddlers have been found bringing heroin from Delhi and there have even been cases of consignments coming from Jammu. “Most of the drug consignments are coming from the opposite direction to Punjab, that is from Delhi and not from the international border. The BSF alone is responsible and responsible for whatever quantity is coming or being pushed through the international border. So there is no argument to increase its jurisdiction.”
“Large quantities are coming in, though there has been an increase in the consumption of drugs and drugs across the country. The central government should be more concerned about ports. The biggest ever seizure of around 3,000 kg of heroin came from a port in Gujarat, but they are pushing the narrative of the Punjab border. Such a huge seizure shows that the level of consumption is rising across the country,” he argued.
Over the years, Punjab Police has also arrested foreign nationals, including women, who were involved in bringing drugs from Delhi. In the first week of July last, a joint operation by Punjab and Delhi Police seized 17 kg of heroin from a farmhouse in Delhi’s Sainik Farms and arrested four Afghan nationals. Kapurthala police had seized 20 kg heroin being brought from Jammu on August 31 last.
Randhawa also pointed to the contrast of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s stand in 2016, when he accused the BSF-Pak Rangers nexus and his current stand on the increased jurisdiction of the BSF. “During his tenure (as CM), he (Amarinder) always defended Punjab Police and now suddenly he is getting fond of BSF. They should explain the contrast in their position,” he said.
Capt Amarinder Singh on BSF-Pak Rangers nexus in 2016
In March 2016, while addressing a public event in Amritsar, Captain Amarinder Singh alleged a nexus between the BSF and Pakistan Rangers to promote drug smuggling. At an event hosted by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Amarinder was heard saying, “When I was the Chief Minister, I met the then Home Minister LK Advani and told him about the tie-up between the BSF and Pak Rangers. I suggested that to break that nexus, the BSF’s platoons be changed every year instead of two years, so that one platoon is shifted before the alliance develops. He said ‘it will be very expensive’ but I said it will not be more expensive than the lives of the people of Punjab… A few days ago, didn’t you see a professionally built underground tunnel? Is this possible without the nexus of Rangers and BSF?
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