Unemployment fuelling drug menace: Governor

The padyatra (foot march) launched by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to create awareness against peril of drugs entered Amritsar on the third day of the campaign on Saturday.

Today, it started from Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School at Nawan Pind village along the Amritsar-Fatehgarh Churian road and culminated at Sri Guru Ram Dass Nursing College at Pandher village.

Speaking to The Tribune, Kataria said there was a need to increase employment opportunities for the youth, especially in border areas, apart from engaging them in sports to channelise their energy so that they did not fall into the deadly trap of drugs.

“Unemployment has been aiding the drug scourge. Efforts should be made to increase employment opportunities, particularly in border areas, to keep them away from drugs,” he said.

He said his anti-drug campaign had got very good public response. The campaign should not remain limited to six days only, it should be kept going as a public movement, he added.

On the absence of state government representatives, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, from the campaign, he hoped they might attend the events on April 7 or April 8 towards the culmination of the campaign. A large number of people, including intellectuals, vice-chancellors and prominent personalities would take part in the concluding day event of the campaign.

Before starting the foot march, Kataria had called upon the CM and political leaders to be part of the campaign whenever they find time during these days. However, the CM and the AAP national convener launched another anti-drug campaign from Ludhiana on the eve of the Governor’s foot march.

The Governor said the village defence committees (VDCs) needed to be strengthened to fight the evil of drugs. He exhorted women to play more proactive role in fighting drugs.

International hockey Olympians Ramandeep Singh and Arjuna Awardee Akashdeep Singh also took part in the march.

Punjab