As many as seven people have died allegedly due to drug overdose in Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka and Ferozepur over the past week, underscoring the persistent drug crisis in Punjab’s Malwa belt.
In Fazilka alone, three deaths were reported within three days. On August 18, 25-year-old Pawan Kumar of Danewala Satkosi village and 20-year-old Karanjit Singh of Tahliwala Bodla village allegedly died of overdoses.
A day earlier, 42-year-old Sukhjinder Singh of Panjawa village also succumbed. Police have registered cases and made arrests in connection with some of these incidents. In Bathinda, two young men — 28-year-old Gurvinder Singh and 25-year-old Kuldeep Singh — were found dead on August 14 with syringes in their arms.
In Mansa, 16-year-old daily wager Amrik Singh died on August 11. In Ferozepur, former international kabaddi player Gurjeet Singh, 45, died during treatment after battling addiction.
According to NCRB data, Punjab recorded 106 drug overdose deaths in 2024, remaining among the worst-affected states. Between 2021 and 2024, the state reported over 400 such fatalities.
The Malwa region has historically accounted for a large share of these cases.
Police say the ongoing ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, launched in March 2025, has led to more than 68,000 arrests, the seizure of over 3,400 kg of heroin and the attachment of assets worth Rs 319 crore.
Officers claim the drive is showing results, though some residents demand stronger, more visible action on the ground.
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