Sangrur Man Swallows Poison Outside DC Office, Drug Inaction Row Erupts

A man in Punjab's Sangrur district consumed a poisonous substance outside the Deputy Commissioner's office, alleging that authorities had failed to act against drug sales in his village. The incident has ignited a political confrontation over the state's drug menace.

Jagseer Singh, also known as Jagga, was rushed to the Sangrur government hospital and later referred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. He alleged that drugs were being sold in his village, Namol, and that the Sarpanch and the administration had been informed repeatedly without any effective action following.

Manjinder Singh, a friend who accompanied him to the DC office, alleged that Jagseer had earlier made videos showing people allegedly selling Chitta and was subsequently attacked. He claimed no action was taken despite the alleged assault, and said Jagseer had told him he had consumed Sulphas.

Doctors gave a differing account of the substance involved. Dr Iqbalpreet Singh said the patient had consumed a poisonous substance, received first aid and was referred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. According to the doctor, the substance was identified as Farnel.

Sangrur City Station House Officer Manpreet Singh reached the spot but declined to comment, saying the youth was undergoing treatment and further details could be shared afterwards.

The incident has drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties targeting the Aam Aadmi Party government. Congress's Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot said the episode reflected the pressure and mistreatment allegedly faced by those speaking against drugs in the state. He said Jagga had allegedly received threats and faced harassment after posting videos against drugs, and questioned the accountability of the government and administration.

Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa also targeted the Punjab government, noting that another man had attempted suicide in Sangrur, the home district of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Bajwa alleged that Jagga was threatened and assaulted for speaking out against drugs, and claimed he had approached the police without any action being taken. He questioned the government's claims of a Drug-Free Punjab.

BJP leader Parminder Brar linked the Jagga Singh case with recent incidents involving Gulzar Singh and Mohanjeet Singh in Sangrur. Party leader and former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu questioned whether alleged protection to the drug mafia and alleged harassment of those raising their voice against drugs reflected the ground reality in Punjab.

Referring to Mohanjeet Singh, Gulzar Singh and now Jagseer Singh, Bittu alleged the government was siding with drug sellers and that people speaking out against drugs were being treated as adversaries. He alleged that instead of acting against traffickers, ordinary citizens, village representatives and anti-drug voices were facing threats and alleged false cases. He expressed solidarity with Jagseer Singh and others fighting against drugs.

The allegations of drug sales, assault, threats, false cases and police inaction in Jagseer Singh's case have not yet been independently established. The police investigation and medical records are expected to establish the sequence of events and circumstances surrounding the incident.

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