Two arrested for running illegal de-addiction centre

The police have arrested two persons for their involvement in running an illegal de-addiction centre at Koharr Kalan village of Shahkot.

DSP Onkar Singh Brar said the accused had been identified as Amardeep Singh, a resident of Mohalla Dashmesh Nagar, Moga, and Jaskaran, a resident of Mohalla Vishwakarma Nagar, Moga.

Ranjit Kaur, superintendent (grade 2) in the office of Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner, forwarded a complaint to the Shahkot Sub-Divisional Magistrate, medical officer and the police received from the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) regarding the illegal drug de-addiction centre, Akal Sahaye Rehabilitation, and directed to act. A social activist has moved the PSHRC against the illegal activity in the Koharr Kalan centre

The DSP said a joint team of civil and police officials had inspected a centre where two accused were present and could not answer questions about their activities and produce any documents to run the centre.

The DSP said during the inspection, it was found that 17 persons were kept as prisoners in a hall.

Brar said the patients admitted at the centre were kept illegally only with a motive to earn money.

The DSP said 17 patients were shifted temporarily to the de-addiction centre at the Jalandhar Civil Hospital in an ambulance for treatment and care. Koharr Kalan centre was vacated and locked.

A case has been registered against the accused and Sarabjit, alias Nikka Singh, a resident and presently living at Koharr Kalan village, which is absconding.