In view of high incidence of drug addiction in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha has raised doubts over the role of the Border Security Force (BSF) in checking smuggling of drug consignments from across the India-Pakistan border.
"I feel hurt to raise a finger on bad elements in the BSF as well as government agencies in this sordid game of drug smuggling as some people from these agencies are involved," Valtoha said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The MLA from Khemkaran constituency in Tarn Taran district said incidents of bags full of drugs being thrown towards this side of the fenced border were continuing despite the presence of three battalions along the BSF posts at Khemkaran, Amarkot and Bhikhiwind.
Urging the PM for effective measures to check the smuggling of drugs along the Punjab border, Valtoha demanded the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
Valtoha also accused BSF personnel of deliberately not firing warning shots after spotting the movement of smugglers on the other side of the border.
"BSF officers have admitted that 70% of the drugs are being smuggled through Punjab borders, of which nearly 50% are passing through the Khalra-Khemkaran sector in my constituency," he said, alleging that the BSF was not taking necessary action to check smuggling in this belt.