Channi demands arrest of Sukhbir, Majithia

Chandigarh, Sep 12 (PTI) Leader of the Opposition in thePunjab Assembly, Charanjit Singh Channi, today accused DeputyChief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Revenue Minister BikramSingh Majithia and their associates of "patronising" drug andsand mafias in the state and demanded their immediate arrest. Submitting two complaints to Director General of PoliceSuresh Arora in this regard, he alleged that the name ofMajithia had surfaced in the drug scam long time back. The state has been converted into a drug haven with themafias having a free run under their patronage. Sukhbir isalso the state Home Minister and thus he is "directlyresponsible" for the situation, Channi alleged. "Sand, gravel and other minor minerals are beingillegally extracted without any consideration for theenvironment. The people in power are carrying out thisexercise with assistance of police and officials of the miningdepartment," Channi alleged. "It is due to their vested interests that auction ofmines had not taken place. The total loss to the stateexchequer is around Rs 25,000 crore. Corrupt police and otherofficials were part of this sand mafia," he alleged. The transporters who load sand from these illegal mineshave to pay the mafia. This royalty is commonly referred to as’Gunda Parchi’, Channi alleged, adding the irony is that thepoor farmers are penalised for lifting sand from his own fieldwhile the sand mafias have monopolised this business. PTI VJNSD RGNSD