Led by woman sarpanch, Ludhiana village takes up cudgels against drug peddlers

Mahesh Sharma

Mandiani (Ludhiana), July 20

This non-descript village of Ludhiana district turned into a cantonment after a video showing daring action of villagers, led by woman sarpanch Gurpreet Kaur against some families of drug peddlers went viral in the region.

‘Either stop playing with lives of our youth or leave the village’ is the ultimatum of Mandiani village residents to at least five families, which are suspected to have been selling drugs and narcotics for over two decades in the region.

Gurpreet Kaur, village sarpanch, has dared to be the whistleblower by leading office bearers and activists of various organizations of village during ‘community’ search of the targeted families during which paraphernalia used for preparing drug packets and administration of ‘Chitta’, valuables kept as guarantee and cash worth lakhs were recovered by the crusaders.

Though the villagers have been protesting against the police for inaction in the matter in the past, a video exhibiting display of recoveries during the search went viral today and attracted attention of the public and the police as well.

DSP Satwinder Singh Virk said concerned officials had been advised to investigate the matter in view of inputs being given by villagers, led by Sarpanch Gurpreet Kaur. “We have apprised our senior about the situation and the village will be clear of all types of contrabands and those involved in illicit trade of drug peddling will be punished,” said Virk.

Born and brought up in a clan of 35 Indian Army and BSF soldiers at Khurad Manki in Malerkotla district, Gurpreet Kaur said, “Having imbibed traits of integrity and boldness from my parents, I chose to adopt do or die attitude against drug peddlers who had ruined lives of many youth of my the village I am leading. Everybody in the village supported my endeavor and search the houses of alleged peddlers in presence of the whole village and found illegal material for which they have no explanation,” said Gurpreet Kaur showing recoveries during the search.

Recoveries suggested that addicts had been keeping valuables with suppliers for purchasing drugs, besides paying in cash. Recovered valuables and cash are worth lakhs. A digital weighing machine, plastic envelops and syringes were included in the recoveries.

Meanwhile, the police have reached the village to verify allegations levelled by residents.