Punjab Police Home Guard’s son dies of alleged drug overdose in Amritsar; family stages protest
Akash was a football player and a BSc graduate; he had been struggling with drug addiction for some time
PTC Web Desk: A 26-year-old youth, identified as Akash, allegedly died due to a drug overdose in Amritsar’s Guru Nanakpura area, which falls under Kot Khalsa police station. The deceased was the son of a Punjab Police Home Guard personnel.
According to the family, Akash was a football player and a BSc graduate. However, he had been struggling with drug addiction for some time. His father, Ashok Saini, who serves as a Home Guard in Punjab Police, said he had admitted his son to de-addiction centres several times in an effort to help him recover.
Speaking to the media, Saini stated that he had brought Akash home from a rehabilitation centre late the previous night. Akash reportedly left home with a friend. The family alleges that he consumed a drug injection, after which he died on the spot. The friend accompanying him allegedly fled the scene.
Following the incident, the grieving family placed Akash’s body on the road and staged a protest against the Punjab government, accusing authorities of failing to curb the widespread drug menace in the state.
Ashok Saini alleged that drugs are being openly sold in several areas, including Kot Khalsa and surrounding localities, and claimed that strict action against drug traffickers is lacking. In an emotional appeal, he said parents are feeling helpless and questioned the government’s repeated claims of eliminating drugs from Punjab.
Police officials from Islamabad police station reached the spot after receiving information about the death. SHO Harsandeep Singh told reporters that the matter is under investigation and that further action will be taken based on the statements given by the family members.
The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over drug abuse in Punjab, particularly among young people.