In a decisive move against the narcotics trade, Punjab Police authorities have demolished the residential property of a wanted drug smuggler in the Patti area of Tarn Taran district. This action represents a significant escalation in the state's ongoing war on drugs, targeting the assets of those involved in the illicit trade.
Police Action Under NDPS Act
The demolition was carried out on Thursday under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The targeted house belonged to Gurmeet Singh, also known as Bhalwan, a resident of Bhikhiwind. Singh is a key accused in multiple drug smuggling cases and is currently evading arrest, having been declared a proclaimed offender by the courts.
Official sources confirmed that the necessary legal procedures were meticulously followed before the demolition. The police had obtained prior permission from the district court, ensuring the action was fully compliant with the law. A heavy police contingent was deployed at the site in Patti to maintain order and oversee the operation as the structure was razed to the ground using earth-moving machinery.
Targeting the Financial Backbone of Smuggling
This strategy of seizing and destroying properties built from drug money is a critical component of the state government's anti-narcotics policy. The aim is to strike at the economic foundations of smuggling networks. By demolishing the house of an absconding smuggler, the police send a strong deterrent message that crime will not pay and that the proceeds of illegal activities will not be safe.
Senior police officials emphasized that such actions will continue against all individuals involved in the drug trade, regardless of their status or location. The focus is particularly on those who have been declared proclaimed offenders or against whom multiple FIRs are registered under the NDPS Act. The demolition in Patti is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, sustained campaign across Punjab.
A Continued Crackdown in the Border Belt
The Tarn Taran district, and specifically the Patti region, is a sensitive border area where drug smuggling has been a persistent challenge. Law enforcement agencies have intensified their operations here, combining intelligence-led raids, arrests, and now, asset demolition. The action against Gurmeet Singh's property underscores the resolve to dismantle the infrastructure supporting smuggling activities in this belt.
Local residents have largely expressed support for the police action, viewing it as a necessary step to rid the area of the drug menace that affects youth and families. Community leaders have often called for harsher measures against kingpins and their support systems. The demolition serves as a tangible outcome of those demands and the administration's commitment to acting upon them.
Authorities have reiterated their warning to all individuals involved in the narcotics trade to abandon their illegal activities or face severe consequences, including the loss of their ill-gotten properties. The police have also appealed to the public to continue providing credible information to help identify and act against other such assets funded by drug money, reinforcing the community's role in this critical fight.
