Punjab: Congress’ Sidhu Supports AAP MP’s Proposal To Legalise Cultivation, Sale And Consumption Of Opium

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is also a minister in the Amarinder Singh-led government in Punjab, has come out in support of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader’s proposal to legalise opium, Hindustan Times reported.

AAP Member of Parliament Patiala Dharamvira Gandhi has called for the legalising cultivation, sale and consumption of opium in Punjab.

“I appreciate Gandhi for raising the demand of legalising the cultivation of opium. My uncle used to get opium as medicine from hospital. It is way better than ‘Chitta’ (heroin), which SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia introduced in the state, due to which parents have to see bodies of their children,”Sidhu has said.

Gandhi, who is currently suspended from AAP, had submitted a proposal to the Union Home Ministry with this request.

Sidhu’s support for the proposal comes just days after a member of the Congress' anti-narcotics cell, identified as Guriqbal Singh, was arrested at a police check-post near Amritsar for possession of two grams of heroin.

Guriqbal Singh was intercepted by the cops when they found his movements suspicious. During his physical search, the police found out that he was in possession of heroin. He was charged under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

The police have been accused of diluting the case.

Congress had come to power promising to eliminate the drug menace in Punjab. At least 30 addicts died from drug overdose in May-June this year.