Youth dies of ‘drug overdose’

Even as the Punjab Government claimed to have eradicated drug menace from majority of the villages in the state, a youth has allegedly died of drug overdose at Basarke village falling in Attari constituency near here. The victim has been identified as Rajinder Singh (30).

Some villagers alleged that despite providing information to the police on a regular basis, drug abuse is rampant in the border villages, but still no steps had been taken to check the problem even as all claims made by the state government turned out to be hollow.

Sakatar Singh, sarpanch of the village, said Rajinder was hooked on to drugs for a long time now. Though his family members tried to wean him away from drugs, but failed. He is survived by his parents, two sisters and a younger brother. The family belonged to economically weaker section.

According to information, yesterday, the victim allegedly consumed some narcotic substance and soon after his condition started to deteriorate. He died on his way to the hospital.

Police authorities said that Rajinder was a drug addict, but he had been ill for the past couple of months, which ultimately resulted in his death. — TNS

Amritsar