Picture by Arnab Ganguly Dakha (Ludhiana), Jan. 22: A candidate for the Punjab Assembly elections has demanded the legalisation of opium to tackle the drug menace in the state. Tarsem Jodhan, a former CPM legislator who is contesting the Dakha seat, near Ludhiana, on a Democratic Swaraj Party ticket, is focusing on this issue during his campaign. "Opium is not a killer like heroin and other synthetic drugs," he said at Dakha's Ranga Chowk before addressing a rally. Jodhan is being backed by the Punjab Front formed by suspended Aam Aadmi Party MP Dharam Vir Gandhi. Both Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal have promised to make Punjab drug-free within a month of coming to power.

Source: The Telegraph January 22, 2017 21:48 UTC