Activist's Detention at Punjab CM Event Sparks Political Row Over Drug Crisis
Anti-drug activist Mohanjeet Singh was detained during a CM Bhagwant Mann event in Sangrur after a black-flag protest. His dope test was positive; he alleges assault. SAD's Majithia slammed the government.
A political controversy has erupted in Punjab after a video showing the detention of an anti-drug activist during a public event by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann went viral on social media.
The activist, identified as Mohanjeet Singh, was detained by police in Sheron village, Sangrur. According to officials, he climbed onto the rooftop of a house near the venue, displayed a black cloth, and raised slogans against the state government over the growing drug menace. Police said he was taken into preventive custody.
Sangrur SSP Ravjot Grewal stated that Mohanjeet was released after a medical examination. "He was taken into preventive custody, and after he underwent a medical test, his dope test also tested positive. We released him later. He has returned to his family," Grewal said.
However, Mohanjeet has alleged that he was assaulted while in custody and claimed that police administered something to him that led to the positive dope test result. These allegations have not been independently verified.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia shared the detention video and accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of suppressing public dissent. In a strongly worded statement, Majithia alleged that police were being deployed to intimidate citizens who question the government, and accused the administration of highhandedness.
The episode has provided the opposition with fresh ammunition to target the AAP government, particularly on its claims of tackling Punjab's drug problem. The ruling party has yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations made by the activist and the opposition.