It alleges that Punjab’s drug problem is a hyped “conspiracy” to defame the people of the state. Without naming, it refers to a Punjab minister who was involved in selling opiates, and “several DSPs” of Punjab Police “who are considered more aggressive drug dealers than the conventional traders”. As SAD defends itself from a double-incumbency in the lead up to the 2017 election, Punjab’s drug problem and its possible links to high places has become the opposition’s favourite issue. READ | Punjab’s war on Drugs: Such a short, toxic journeyAsk Shashi Kant, a former Intelligence chief of the Punjab Police. He remembers the time in 2007 when “vague reports” of a flourishing drug trade in the state began doing the rounds.

Source: Indian Express June 11, 2016 00:01 UTC