Youth dies of suspected drug overdose in Amritsar

Amritsar, July 5

A youth died under mysterious circumstances in Sadar Bazaar cantonment area here on Thursday.

While residents of the area alleged that the victim collapsed on the road due to drug addiction, the police told that as per the family members, he was suffering from fits following a road accident months ago.

Varun Sareen, a resident of the locality, while talking to mediapersons claimed that the victim died of drug overdose further alleging that drug traffickers were delivering drugs at the doorstep of addicts.

Drugs were easily available in some localities, including Gwal Mandi and Putilighar area, he alleged.

He said the government had constructed urinals in the area, which have become a favourite spot for drug abuse for addicts. One can see silver foils and syringes in some urinals, Sareen alleged.

Deepak, another resident, alleged narcotic substances were being sold openly in Gwal Mandi area while the police were looking the other way.

Some area residents said several years ago, a police chowki, located in the Sadar bazaar area, was removed after the police the formation of the Cantonment police station. They said seeing rising drug abuse in the Sadar bazaar area, a police chowki was needed.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (West) Sukhpal Singh refuted the allegations and said Punjab Police have adopted zero tolerance towards drug peddling. He said the police identified over 30 drug traffickers in Chheharta and Putlighar areas. He said strict action was taken against them.

“If people know about traffickers in their areas, they should share information with the police and prompt action would be taken against them,” he added.