Residents claim ‘every drug available’ as addiction spreads

Guru Ki Wadali holds a prominent place in the history of Sikhism. Ideally, it should have been developed into a major religious destination and a spiritual beacon for younger generations. However, that vision remains unrealised, courtesy the lack of foresight shown by successive governments, the district administration and civic authorities, which have failed to develop the area.

The village is home to four historic Gurdwaras — Gurdwara Janam Asthan of Guru Hargobind Ji, Gurdwara Damdama Sahib where Guru Arjan Dev Ji initiated the digging of five wells, Gurdwara Babe Shaheedi Patshahi Panjvi and Gurdwara Manji Sahib.

Despite its spiritual heritage, Guru Ki Wadali, like many other areas on the city’s outskirts, is plagued by a serious drug problem. During a visit to the village, residents were critical of the rampant drug abuse and the government’s failure to control it.

“Every kind of drug is easily available and being consumed in the area, be it heroin or pharmaceutical intoxicants like capsules and tablets. You name it and it’s accessible without any check,” said Pritpal Singh, a local resident.

Although the government has launched the ‘Yudh Nashiyan Virudh’ campaign to eradicate the drug menace in Punjab, there are no visible results on the ground, he said.

“If you ask me, nothing has changed. The availability of drugs has not reduced, despite all the supposed efforts by the police. That’s because of black sheep at various levels of governance,” said Gurlal Singh, alias Lalli, a local communist leader.

While there is no official data on how many young people have died due to drug consumption in the village, the residents claim the number is alarmingly high. Over the past three decades, the situation has assumed alarming proportions.

However, last year, local police claimed a breakthrough when they arrested two major drug traffickers, Manjit Singh alias Manna and his brother Lovejit Singh alias Luv aka Labh, both residents of Guru Ki Wadali. They were caught along with three others in possession of 3 kg heroin.

Amritsar