L E T T E R S    T O    T H E    E D I T O R

Unmask druglords

The menace of drug abuse has threatened to consume the young generation, but the Akalis and Congressmen are unfortunately engaged in a war of words. It is a sad irony that the Punjabi is today leaning on loneliness, misery and stress.

The Akali Dal and Congress in Punjab have resorted to unhealthy politics on the issue instead of exposing the politician-police-smuggler nexus in drug trafficking.

The people wish to see the culprits behind the bars as drug abuse has ruined the lives of many youths. They want a transparent, impartial public inquiry to unmask the culprits, whether by the CBI, state police or judiciary.

Ranbir Singh, Hoshiarpur

Politicians spared

Political forces seem to impact the judicial framework of the country. For example, while drug scam kingpin Jagdish Singh Bhola is under detention, there are no proceedings against the political persons who he has alleged were his associates in the racket. The police have indicated that Bhola was misleading the investigation by taking the names.

Are the laws are not applicable to the high and mighty? Amendments in rules are needed to enable the law agencies to proceed against all accused without the meddling of anyone or political patronage.

DEEPAK SHARMA, Amritsar

Impartial probe needed

The Punjab police has done a remarkable job by busting the multi-crore drug racket, arresting its kingpin Jagdish Bhola and his aides, and recovering a huge quantity of drugs. Post Bhola’s allegation of the involvement of certain Akali leaders in the racket, the hasty manner in which the Punjab government gave a clean chit to Bikramjit Singh Majithia and whisked the druglord away without permitting him to interact with the media at a recent court appearance only shows that there is something fishy (report “High drama as Bhola produced in court”, January 15). While Bhola’s is being booked in fresh criminal cases, there has been a demand to transfer the investigation to the CBI or a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge.

Amidst allegations and counter-allegations by Akali and Congress leaders against each other for patronising the narcotic trade, it becomes imperative to get to its bottom.

Only an impartial probe will enable Bhola to spill the beans and expose the politician-police-drug mafia nexus. The guilty, however powerful, must be brought to book.

D S Kang, Bahadurpur, (Hoshiarpur)

Gender sensitisation

Our country has earned the dubious distinction of being the third worst rape offender in the world. It is more shameful that the conviction rate of rapes is just 26.4 per cent. In August 2013, the Supreme Court notified some regulations on gender sensitisation and sexual harassment of women. The question is whether this mechanism is enough to address the complaints of sexual harassment. A credible mechanism that averts this heinous crime is needed.

S.K. Khosla, Chandigarh

Rear view safety

The number of road has accidents gone up over the years for reasons such as rash driving, overspeeding and improper maintenance or widening of roads, specially near bridges where the stretch is generally narrower. Indiscipline among commuters insofar as following their own lane is another cause of the accidents. It is a fad among young boys in Punjab to remove the rear view mirror of two-wheelers. This also leads to accidents. The traffic police does not seem to check or fine the riders of such two-wheelers.

Harbhajan Singh Sarwara, Rajpura

Clean up rail tracks

Vacant land along rail tracks is filthy as it is generally encroached upon or used as dumping ground. The Railways should give this land on short-term lease in both rural and urban areas. This will not only generate revenue but also help in maintaining cleanliness along the rail tracks.

Dr Kirti Dua, Ludhiana

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