Harjinder Singh re-elected unopposed as Sarpanch for third time, continues fight against drugs
Harjinder Singh, 56, has been unanimously re-elected as Sarpanch of Dayalpur village in Kartarpur for the third time. His remarkable achievement in eradicating drugs from the village has earned him widespread recognition.
In 2018, Harjinder Singh took initiative to help young men overcome addiction by transporting them to Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centre 25 km away in the Sheikhe village. Today, Dayalpur village boasts a thriving sports culture, with players and bodybuilders from neighbouring villages joining its gym.
Under Harjinder’s leadership, the village has installed over 35 CCTV cameras, built three playgrounds, and established Sher-E-Punjab Sports Club, producing internationally renowned kabaddi players.
Harjinder returned to India in 2016 after living in the UK, determined to combat drug addiction in his village. As Sarpanch since 2018, and previously from 1998-2003, he has made significant strides.
“We caught hold of three to four peddlers and the rest became scared,” Harjinder explained. “We started taking 40-45 boys to the OOAT centre, and eventually, 150-200 youths from neighbouring villages joined.”
Harjinder took a door-to-door approach, persuading youths and their families to seek OOAT treatment. Additionally, the village has seen significant infrastructure development. A gym, built with the support of NRIs, has been supplemented by two new playgrounds and solar panels over the past two years. During Covid, Dayalpur maintained strict night patrols, known as “theekri pehras”. This vigilance has earned the village a reputation for zero tolerance towards drug peddlers, with a clear message: “Peddlers won’t be spared in Dayalpur”.
The village’s OOAT enrolment initiative gained significant traction, with the local SHO taking note and supporting the effort. As a result, many youths have turned to sports, leading to a substantial decrease in the number of individuals requiring OOAT treatment.
Harjinder credits community involvement and stringent night watches for keeping peddlers at bay. “Communities must protect their own,” he emphasised.
