The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has apprehended a village sarpanch in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, linked to a drug recovery case, officials said. The accused has been named as Paramjit Singh, also known as Pamma. He is the sarpanch of Kalsian village in the district, officials said.
His arrest has triggered a political row in the state. Opposition leaders targeted the AAP government, alleging that Pamma had links with the ruling party. Pamma was produced before a local court, which sent him to two-day judicial remand, an NCB official said.
His arrest followed the interrogation of three accused who were apprehended last month in the same drug recovery case.
On February 15, the NCB had arrested three alleged drug peddlers and seized 9 kg of heroin, 6 kg of methamphetamine, and 3 kg of opium from their possession, the official said.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh criticised the AAP government over the arrest. He said the “truth” about the Bhagwant Mann government, which claims to be fighting drugs under the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign, has now been exposed.
SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha said that Pamma was the president of the village defence committee formed to check cross-border drug smuggling.
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira alleged that the sarpanch had put up welcome banners for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during his visit to Khemkaran on March 7.
Also read: Punjab Assembly sees uproar over Khaira remarks
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