Kapurthala, December 31: As part of the Punjab government’s ongoing anti-drug drive ‘Yudh Nashe Virudh’ (War Against Drugs), the civil and police administration on Tuesday demolished an unauthorised structure built on panchayat land in village Secha, under the limits of Sultanpur Lodhi police station.
The action followed a resolution passed by the village panchayat, which sought legal proceedings against an alleged drug trafficker accused of encroaching upon community land. Acting on the directions of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO), Sultanpur Lodhi, heavy machinery was used to remove the illegal construction.
Officials said the encroachment was carried out by Gurbhej Singh alias Bheja, son of Jarnail Singh, who had allegedly occupied panchayat land and constructed a house without authorisation. The demolition drive was conducted jointly by the civil administration and police, with adequate deployment to prevent any law-and-order situation.
Confirming the development, Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said the accused has a criminal history, with nine cases registered against him, including seven under the NDPS Act and two cases related to violent crimes. He said the action was taken after examining the panchayat resolution and the BDPO’s report.
Praising the initiative taken by the village panchayat, the SSP said community participation plays a key role in tackling the drug menace. He reiterated that the Punjab government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and that enforcement under the campaign would continue.
