Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated the Centre’s commitment to eliminating the drug trade in Punjab by December 31, 2029, drawing a parallel with the government’s claim that it has ended Naxalism.

Speaking at a Vijayadashami event in Ludhiana on Tuesday, Shah said the fight against narcotics would continue until the drug trade was eliminated. He also called on the Punjab government to transfer two additional cases involving people who had opposed the drug menace to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Shah’s remarks came during his visit to Punjab, where he met families affected by deaths linked to the state’s drug problem.

Amit Shah sets 2029 deadline for drug-free Punjab

Addressing the gathering in Ludhiana, Shah said the government had fulfilled several of its commitments, citing the removal of Article 370 and Article 35A, progress against terrorism and the end of Naxalism.

He said the next priority was to eliminate the drug trade.

Shah reiterated his resolve to eliminate Punjab’s drug trade by December 31, 2029, describing the commitment as a tribute to three people whose families he met during his visit.

The Home Minister urged people to share information about the drug trade through the Narcotics Control Bureau’s toll-free helpline, assuring them that the Modi government would take action on the information received.

Shah seeks CBI probes into two more cases

During his Punjab visit, Shah met the families of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur, Gulzar Singh in Sangrur and Parwinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.

Shah met the families and assured them that action would be taken in the cases.

Shah referred to the case involving Parwinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, which had been transferred to the CBI. He urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to transfer the two other cases, associated with Sangrur and Gurdaspur, to the central agency as well.

The Home Minister said the investigations should establish accountability, adding that influential people involved in the cases would not be spared.

Shah criticises Punjab government over drug menace

Shah accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led government in Punjab of failing to control the drug trade. He also criticised the state administration over the treatment of people who had raised concerns about narcotics.

Referring to the spread of ‘chitta’, a term commonly used for heroin in Punjab, Shah said the drug trade had reached villages across the state.

He argued that people speaking out against the menace were facing serious consequences, including death and suicide, and called for stronger action against those responsible.

The Punjab government and the individuals referred to in the allegations should be given an opportunity to respond to specific accusations.

Shah maintained that the Centre would use its available resources to pursue the cases and work towards ending the drug trade in Punjab by the end of 2029.

Normal life was disrupted across Manipur on Tuesday as a 48-hour statewide shutdown called in protest against the killing of three Meitei civilians severely disrupted vehicular movement and daily activities in several areas. The strike began at midnight following the attack on firewood collectors near the Khongbal Tangkhul foothills.

Roads remained deserted in several locations, while shutdown supporters staged protests in different parts of the state. Demonstrations were reported at Canchipur, Khurai and Patsoi, among other places, amid public anger over the killings. Night protests had also taken place in areas including Lamlong, Singjamei, Kwakeithel and Chingmeirong.

The shutdown was called by the Native People Committee Manipur (NPC), which demanded action against the armed groups allegedly responsible for the attack. The incident has renewed concerns over civilian safety, particularly for people who depend on forest areas for their livelihoods.

Three firewood collectors killed in attack

The attack took place near the Khongbal Tangkhul foothills, in the area around Uyumpok and Nongshum in Imphal East district. Three civilians collecting firewood were killed, while three others were injured.

The deceased were identified as Lairenpakpam Inaobi Meitei, 40, and Aribam Noni Meetei, 35, both residents of Nongshum, and Ksh. Sushil Singh, 30, from Uyumpok Mamang Leikai. The killings prompted protests, with grieving villagers and family members bringing the bodies of two victims to the gates of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s residence on Monday to demand accountability and stronger security measures.

Individuals detained by police in connection with bringing and placing the two bodies outside the Chief Minister’s residence were subsequently released on Monday, the report said.

Committee demands action and stronger security

The Native People Committee Manipur has called for immediate and decisive action against the armed groups it alleges were responsible for the killings.

Its demands include identifying and vacating unauthorised armed camps near the Khongbal Tangkhul foothills and Khamenlok, deploying additional security personnel in vulnerable areas, and conducting a transparent investigation within a fixed timeframe.

The committee has also sought a time-bound decision on the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. In addition, it has demanded the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, citing alleged political interference in security operations, and called for lawful action against KNF(P) chairman SS Thangboi Kipgen.

These are demands and allegations made by the committee and should not be treated as independently established findings.

Essential services exempted from shutdown

While the strike has affected movement and everyday activities, health services, religious activities and institutions, and essential services have been exempted. The committee has appealed to people to maintain peace and ensure that ambulances, emergency medical care and essential supplies are not obstructed.

The shutdown comes amid continuing ethnic tensions in Manipur. The killings and the protests that followed have raised concerns about civilian security, with the incident threatening to further aggravate the state’s fragile situation.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has come under fire from BJP leaders over a social media post referring to the reported burning of Albania’s Supreme Court. His remarks, in which he suggested that countries should learn from the unrest in Albania, particularly India, triggered accusations that he was encouraging disorder and threatening constitutional institutions.

The BJP criticised Raut’s comments and demanded an apology. The controversy prompted the Rajya Sabha MP to clarify his position, asserting that he has faith in India’s Supreme Court and believes the judiciary can play a crucial role in safeguarding the country.

What Sanjay Raut said about Albania

In a post on X on October 19, Raut referred to reports of the Supreme Court building in Albania being set on fire during protests. He claimed that people were angry because the court was helping a prime minister facing corruption allegations.

Raut also referred to attacks on Albania’s parliament, government offices and ministers’ residences. He said countries should draw lessons from these developments, specifically referring to India.

His remarks drew criticism from BJP leaders, who interpreted the post as an inappropriate comparison between the unrest in Albania and India’s political and judicial institutions.

BJP leaders demand an apology

BJP spokesperson CR Kesavan strongly criticised Raut’s language, describing it as indefensible and accusing him of making remarks that threatened India’s constitutional institutions.

Kesavan compared the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader to Mir Jafar, accusing him of using language that undermined the country’s institutions and democratic mandate.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya also attacked Raut, alleging that his remarks reflected support for anarchy and that he was targeting constitutional institutions.

Somaiya said the public would not accept attempts to encourage disorder in the country. He also referred to a contempt petition involving Raut in the Supreme Court and said the matter would be addressed there.

The BJP further demanded an apology from Raut, questioning the message conveyed by his reference to the burning of Albania’s Supreme Court.

Sanjay Raut clarifies his position

Responding to the criticism, Raut said his remarks were intended as a warning about the possibility of growing disorder if the current government remained in power.

He urged the Supreme Court to take note of the situation and maintained that he had faith in the institution.

Raut said the Supreme Court was the institution capable of saving the nation and argued that the situation could lead to chaos if concerns were not addressed.

His clarification came amid the political row over whether his reference to the unrest in Albania amounted to an endorsement of violent protests in India.

Congress leader Udit Raj backs Raut’s remarks

Congress leader Udit Raj expressed support for Raut’s position and raised questions about bail decisions in prominent cases.

Referring to Umar Khalid, Raj questioned why bail had been denied to him while other individuals had received bail. He argued that courts should provide reasoned orders explaining such decisions.

His comments added a judicial dimension to the political debate surrounding Raut’s remarks.

Shiv Sena leader rejects the prospect of violence

Shiv Sena leader Anand Dubey also responded to the controversy, rejecting any suggestion that India should experience violence, arson or widespread disorder similar to incidents reported in other countries.

Invoking the occasion of Vijayadashami, Dubey said that righteousness, justice and truth ultimately prevailed over their opposites.

He asserted that India would not descend into conditions involving violence and destruction, referring to unrest in countries including Albania, France, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

The remarks highlighted the political disagreement over how unrest abroad should be interpreted in the Indian context.

The controversy has centred on Raut’s reference to Albania’s unrest, the BJP’s accusations and the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP’s subsequent clarification that he continues to have faith in the Supreme Court.