This story is from August 12, 2016

Khaps take charge to check drug menace

Apprehensive of rampant drug abuse in Haryana like neighbouring Punjab, khap panchayats in the state have taken charge to check the menace.
Khaps take charge to check drug menace
Chandigarh: Apprehensive of rampant drug abuse in Haryana like neighbouring Punjab, khap panchayats in the state have taken charge to check the menace. Leaders of about three dozen khap panchayats met at Kandela village of Jind district on Thursday where they resolved to form a committee of 21 persons for each village to keep an eye on drug smugglers and liquor contractors engaged in illegal supply.
"One of the main challenges for Haryana villages is unauthorized liquor shops.
In some villagers, the number of such shops ranges from 8-10," said Tek Ram Kandela, a senior khap leader who presided over the panchayat. The khap leaders have resolved to a run a campaign to close illegal liquor shops apart from demanding shifting of all liquor vendors out of villages.
Khap leader from Hisar district Rajkumar Reddu said he was surprised to know about the menace of smack in his neighbouring village Bichpari and Narwana town of Jind.
"Punjab was a leading state in sports as well in education before the menace of drugs. We don't want to see similar situation in Haryana," said Reddu, 63, a retired government school principal.
According to Reddu, in his Balak village a youth lost his life when a drunk man opened fire while dancing at a function about six months ago. "We want to save the youths by launching an awareness campaign," he added.
Lieutenant General D P Vats (retd), who also attended the panchayat, said the khaps would create social pressure on those indulging in drugs trade.
According to Vats, senior officials of the administration and police were also present in the panchayat held at Kandela. "We have urged the officers to stop supply of drugs and illegal liquor by ensuring exemplary punishment against the accused. On our part we may consider their social boycott," he added.

Vats said the problem of drug was not as severe in Haryana as in Punjab. "But we don't want to take any risk," he added. According to BJP leader Aditya Devi Lal, there was a spurt in cases of smack consumption in areas of Rania, Dabwali and Odhan in Sirsa district besides poppy husk and opium.
A recent report of the Union government had claimed that Haryana had more than double cases (86) of suicide caused by drug abuse and alcoholic addiction in comparison to Punjab's 36 cases in 2014. The report tabled by Union minister of social justice and empowerment Vijay Sampla in Rajya Sabha had also claimed that Punjab had witnessed a sharp decline in such suicides in three years since 2012 while there was upward trend of such cases in Haryana.
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