PATIALA: The police in Patiala and Ropar districts on Thursday demolished the houses of alleged drug smugglers using bulldozers, terming it as an action against drug smugglers.
In Patiala, the police demolished a two-story house belonging to the alleged drug smuggler Rinky, wife of the late Balbir Singh, who resides in Rori Kutt Mohalla in Patiala. The police stated that the accused, Rinky, illegally occupied land belonging to the ancient Vaman Avatar Temple to build the house. The Patiala SSP said that a total of 10 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered under the NDPS Act since 2016 against Rinky, who was arrested over 10 times by the police in smuggling cases in the past. The police said that investigations revealed her house was constructed illegally with money earned through drug smuggling. However, on Thursday, it was demolished as the police had the requisite orders. A heavy police force was deployed to avert any untoward situation and maintain law and order, said the police, adding that currently, the accused smuggler Rinky was absconding. The police noted that the locality, Rori Kutt Mohalla, was infamous for its association with drug peddlers.
In a similar action, the police and district administration in Ropar also demolished the building of an illegally constructed house belonging to a drug smuggler. Senior Superintendent of Police Ropar, Gulneet Singh Khurana, said that following the directions of the chief minister and Director General of Police Punjab, a campaign was launched against drug smugglers in Ropar district.
“Three cases, each, have been registered against the accused husband and wife, identified as Salim Mohammad and Asha, under the NDPS Act. The accused are residents of Sadabrat village, Nangal Road, Ropar, and are involved in the drug business. In these cases, ganja and narcotic powder were also recovered from the couple,” said SSP Khurana.
“They constructed an unauthorized house with the money earned by selling drugs. The unauthorized house was demolished on Thursday by the Municipal Council, Ropar, with the help of the police. By investigating the property built with the money earned by selling drugs, such action will be taken in the future too against drug smugglers so that Punjab can be made drug-free,” added SSP Khurana.
