JALALABAD, July 6 — Amid mounting political pressure over a spate of suspected drug-related deaths in Punjab’s Jalalabad subdivision, Fazilka district police on Saturday transferred three Station House Officers (SHOs) in a move that has intensified the ongoing row around the area’s narcotics crisis.
SHO Sachin Kumar (Jalalabad City), Amarjit Kaur (Jalalabad Sadar), and Angrej Kumar (Arniwala) were shifted “on administrative grounds,” according to official sources. However, the decision follows days of sharp criticism from opposition leaders who allege police inaction amid rampant drug trafficking in the region.
At least five youths have died in recent days under circumstances pointing to drug abuse or narcotics-linked violence, triggering public anger and viral videos accusing authorities of letting the drug trade flourish.
Former Congress minister Hans Raj Josan, Shiromani Akali Dal’s Jalalabad leader Raju Khera, and BJP Fazilka district president Sukhwinder Singh Kamboj all raised concerns over the deaths, demanding accountability and urgent intervention. “It is deeply alarming that drugs are so freely available in Jalalabad. Young lives are being lost,” said Josan.
The latest series of deaths began on June 28, when 25-year-old Akashdeep, also known as Bobby, was found dead in a private godown in Tiwana Kalan village. Police later registered a case against Jarnail Singh Jaily, Harjinder Singh Sonu, Shinderpal Singh, and Swaran Singh under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During questioning, police say Jarnail attempted to flee custody and was shot in the leg before being re-arrested.
Just two days later, on June 30, a resident of Bhagwanpura Basti, Lov, informed police that his brother Harsh, a long-time heroin user, had died. Lov alleged Harsh was tortured and killed by a group of individuals including Gurmukh Singh Gukhi, Toti, Dillu, Rohit, Raman, and several unidentified persons. Police registered a case under Sections 103, 191(3), and 190 of the BNS at the Jalalabad City police station.
On July 1, a young man was found dead beside the Chandbhan drain in Paliwala village, a syringe lying nearby. Police suspect he died due to drug overdose, though the identity of the deceased was not immediately confirmed.
Then on July 2, Manjit Kaur of Mahuana Bodla filed an FIR at Arniwala police station alleging that her 25-year-old son, Mandeep Singh, who had left for Chandigarh, was found dead near a water course (khala) after last being traced to Bathinda. She accused Lada Singh of Mahuana Bodla and Jarnail Singh of Aliana village of giving her son drugs and beating him to death. A case under Sections 103 and 3(5) of the BNS was filed.
The rapid succession of deaths and the allegations of trafficking and torture have fueled public outrage, especially as videos alleging widespread availability of drugs in Jalalabad continue to circulate.
While police have maintained that the transfers were routine, the timing suggests a response to escalating public and political scrutiny. No official explanation has been offered regarding the failures in drug enforcement or oversight.
“The scale and pattern of these deaths are deeply disturbing,” said a local resident. “We need action, not just transfers.”
