The New Indian Express ·
Punjab farmer dies by suicide after being pressured to apologise over drug menace question to Minister Cheema
CHANDIGARH: A 50-year-old farmer from Sangrur, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home district, died by suicide after he was allegedly pressured and harassed by local Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders to apologise for questioning Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the alleged sale and supply of “chitta” in his village at a recent public meeting.
The farmer had alleged that the government was not doing enough to stop the drug menace, according to his family and villagers. The incident has now snowballed into a major political controversy, with the Opposition demanding an investigation and accountability.
A few days ago, a Sikh baptised youth and anti-drug activist, Mohanjit Singh, was allegedly tortured by the state police after he climbed onto the rooftop of a house near the venue of a ‘Milni’ programme in Sheron village, also in Sangrur district, and waved a black flag at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann while raising slogans against the state government over the continuing drug menace.
