‘I was being forced to apologise’: Elderly man from Sangrur consumes poison, alleges harassment after raising drug issue at Harpal Cheema event
PTC Web Desk: Days after the controversy surrounding Mohanjeet Singh’s alleged custodial torture, another incident involving an anti-drug protest has raised fresh questions in Punjab’s Sangrur district.
A 50-year-old man, identified as Gulzar Singh, allegedly swallowed a poisonous substance following an incident during a programme attended by Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema in Dirba.
According to information, during the minister’s programme yesterday, Gulzar Singh questioned Harpal Singh Cheema, saying, “My son openly consumes chitta. Why don’t you stop the drug?”
Sources said that after raising the question, the man was allegedly taken aside by the police.
It is further alleged that the sarpanch of Tur Banjara village and some other people later pressured Gulzar Singh to stand up the following morning and apologise for questioning the minister.
According to information available, Gulzar Singh allegedly consumed a poisonous substance (sulphas) after becoming distressed over the alleged pressure and harassment.
He was initially taken to a hospital in Dirba. He was subsequently shifted to a hospital in Sangrur and then to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala for treatment.
Gulzar Singh was later admitted to a private Umeed Hospital in Sangrur. He has now reportedly been referred to DMCH, Ludhiana, for further treatment.
No official statement has so far been issued by the police or administration regarding the incident. Further details are awaited.
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Earlier, in his statement, Gulzar Singh alleged that following the incident, he was pressured by the sarpanch of Tur Banjara village to apologise for raising the issue.
Elderly man alleges he was forced to apologise
In his statement, Gulzar Singh alleged that he was being repeatedly pressured to apologise after raising questions about the drug situation.
He further alleged that he was harassed by people associated with the village administration and that the pressure became so intense that he ultimately consumed a poisonous substance. Singh is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Sangrur.
According to his statement, he has named four persons whom he holds responsible for the pressure and circumstances leading up to the incident.
The development is particularly significant because it comes at a time when the Punjab government is aggressively promoting its anti-drug campaign.
Cheema himself reviewed the state's 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' campaign in Sangrur on September 7 and called for greater participation from villages and wards in the fight against drugs.
Incident comes amid Mohanjeet Singh controversy
The latest case comes close on the heels of the controversy surrounding Mohanjeet Singh of Sheron village, who alleged that he was tortured in police custody after protesting against the drug menace during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Lok Milni programme on September 2.
Mohanjeet Singh had reportedly displayed a black flag and raised slogans questioning the government's handling of the drug problem. He was subsequently detained.
After his release, Singh alleged that he was subjected to severe physical and religious humiliation in custody, including claims of electric shocks and beatings. The police have disputed his account and said he was detained in connection with security concerns and his antecedents. An inquiry into the allegations was ordered.
The controversy escalated further after the Punjab Police transferred a DSP and shifted three other personnel to Police Lines amid the allegations. The National Human Rights Commission also sought an action-taken report from the state government.
The allegations made by Gulzar Singh have now brought another incident from the same region into focus.
- PTC NEWS
