Punjab government will recommend to the Centre to enforce the death penalty for convicts in drug smuggling or peddling cases, said Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday. "Recommendation being forwarded to Centre. Since drug peddling is destroying entire generations, it deserves exemplary punishment. I stand by my commitment for drug-free Punjab," he said in a statement.

The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by CM Amarinder Singh. The cabinet meeting on Monday was called to discuss the issue of drug menace in the state after a spurt in drug overdose deaths was reported in June. CM asked senior police officers to be present at the meeting and brief the cabinet about the increasing menace, said a government statement issued earlier. 

 

My govt has decided to recommend the death penalty for drug peddling/smuggling. The recommendation is being forwarded to the Union government. Since drug peddling is destroying entire generations, it deserves exemplary punishment. I stand by my commitment for a drug free Punjab. pic.twitter.com/dXZTsDwVpf

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) July 2, 2018

NGOs and civil society in Punjab are protesting the government's inaction by marking the first week of July as a 'black week’. Punjab's administration has come under fire for not doing enough about the drug menace in the state. The government faced criticism from all quarters after a spate of drug-related deaths were reported in the state in the month of June.  

‘Chittey De Virodh Vich Kaala Hafta’ or black week to protest the white substance is a protest led by students from Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, various NGOs and civil groups.