In a tragic escalation of substance abuse cases, Bathinda district has been rocked by a spate of deaths attributed to drug overdoses in recent days. The toll stands at five lives lost within just one week, underscoring a growing crisis that has alarmed local authorities and communities alike.
The grim series of events began on June 25, when Lakhwinder Singh, a 25-year-old from Fatehgarh Nau Abad village, succumbed to an overdose. His death, described by his grieving father as a consequence of long-standing addiction to “chitta,” a highly potent narcotic, marked the onset of a harrowing period for the district.
Subsequent incidents unfolded with chilling similarity. On June 28, Kartik Arora, a promising 27-year-old BCA graduate, was discovered lifeless in Bir Talab, another victim of lethal drug overdose. His body, found by a concerned NGO worker, was swiftly transported to Civil Hospital, where authorities commenced their investigation.
The toll mounted with each passing day. Khushdeep Singh, 23, met a tragic end at a closed petrol station near Bhucho Kanchiyan on the same day as Kartik, his life extinguished by intravenous drug use. The scenes of despair continued as Mani Singh, 22, fell victim to an alleged injection of “chitta” at Jethuke village on July 1, prompting legal action against the accused.
The most recent casualty, on July 2, brought the district’s drug crisis into sharper focus. A youth’s lifeless form, discovered near Ram Bagh with a syringe still embedded in his arm, has sparked renewed calls for urgent intervention and community solidarity against substance abuse.
In response to these tragedies, Bathinda City SP Narinder Singh reaffirmed law enforcement’s commitment to combating drug trafficking from across the border in Pakistan, through rigorous search operations. Concurrently, awareness campaigns aimed at educating residents about the perils of drug addiction have been intensified, urging collective participation in the fight against this pervasive menace.
Dr. Arun Bansal, a psychiatrist at Bhai Mani Singh Government Hospital, issued a stark warning about the dangers of “chitta,” emphasizing its devastating impact on mental health and the dire consequences of prolonged dependency. He stressed the importance of government initiatives aimed at rehabilitation and urged addicts and their families to seek help without delay.
The community’s response has been mixed, with over 200 individuals daily seeking assistance at local de-addiction centers. Yet, the stark reality remains: without concerted action and a united front against drug abuse, the toll of lives lost to addiction may continue to rise unabated.
As Bathinda mourns these irreplaceable losses, there is a resounding call for solidarity, action, and above all, hope. It is a call to reclaim lives, restore families, and safeguard the future against the deadly grip of narcotics.
