Punjab’s drug crisis has led to another flare-up, with the government under pressure after the police on Wednesday (October 28) ‘seized’ the body of a man who had died of suspected overdose and whose family was planning a protest.

The body of 35-year-old Daljit Singh was being taken to the site in Mansa where the family of activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was already protesting. Jhota was killed after he accused a medicine shop owner of selling drugs.

Punjab has been battling drugs for almost a decade and a half, but there seems to be no let-up in the scourge. As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2024 data released this September, Punjab leads the country with 6,060 cases of drug trafficking. It also recorded 106 drug overdose deaths, second only to Tamil Nadu (313).

With Assembly elections due next year, the issue of drugs is being raised loudly. It is central to the BJP’s poll pitch, putting the ruling AAP government on the backfoot.…