Breaking: Harpal Cheema alleges drug supply from Gujarat, targets Akali-BJP and Centre over Punjab’s drug crisis
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 16, 2026: Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday accused the previous Akali-BJP government and the BJP-led Central government of failing to curb drug trafficking, while claiming that supplies are now reaching Punjab from Gujarat.
Speaking to the media, Cheema alleged that Punjab witnessed a surge in drug-related activities during the 2007–2017 tenure of the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government. He claimed that the term “chitta” became widely known in Punjab during that period.
Cheema also levelled allegations against functionaries and leaders of the then government, claiming that government vehicles were allegedly misused for facilitating drug supplies. He further alleged that an Enforcement Directorate official investigating drug cases in Jalandhar was transferred after beginning to act against Akali and BJP leaders.
Targeting the Centre and the Border Security Force (BSF), Cheema said Punjab shares a 555-km international border with Pakistan and alleged that the BJP-led Central government had failed to stop drug smuggling across the border.
Defending the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government’s anti-drug campaign, Cheema said the state had adopted an “all-out” approach against drug trafficking. He highlighted the installation of anti-drone systems by the Punjab Police to check cross-border smuggling and claimed that the state police had succeeded in curbing 90 per cent of drug trafficking from across the border.
Cheema also accused Gujarat, a BJP-ruled state, of being a major source of drugs reaching Punjab and other parts of the country. He claimed that when drug traffickers are arrested in Punjab or other states and questioned about the source of the drugs, Gujarat and Rajasthan frequently emerge as source states.
These allegations were made by Cheema during his interaction with the media. No supporting evidence or independent verification of his specific claims regarding the source of drug supplies was provided in the statement.
Cheema said the state government had also focused on the treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by drug addiction. He added that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had directed officials to take strict action against drug peddlers and traffickers operating at the local level, and said the campaign against drugs would continue.