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How serious is drug issue in bypoll-bound Tarn Taran? AAP worker’s death due to ‘overdose’ and misuse of opioids paint a grim picture

The drug crisis in Tarn Taran, particularly in the underprivileged locality of Muradpur, has reportedly led to the death of over 100 youths in the past two years.

4 min readAmritsarNov 9, 2025 02:00 PM IST

Sohan Singh (in turban) campaigning for Harmeet Sandhu in Maradput locality of Tarn Taran city. (Express Photo)

The narrow lanes of Muradpur, one of Tarn Taran city’s underprivileged localities, tell a bleak story of shattered families and fading hope. Locals say the scourge of drug addiction has claimed more than 100 young lives in the past two years, turning this neighbourhood into a grim reminder of Punjab’s ongoing drug crisis.

Sohan Singh, a local flour mill owner and long-time political worker, has recently joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), along with former Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu.

Sandhu is now contesting the Tarn Taran Assembly bypoll on an AAP ticket, and Sohan Singh has been looking after his campaign in Muradpur. In the Khuvi Vehra area of Muradpur, Sohan Singh has promised to resolve the issue of the clogged sewage system.

“There was an old well here which turned into a gutter. It remains choked,” said Sohan. Muradpur is the home of Lovepreet Singh, an AAP worker who died due to alleged drug overdose two months before Sohan and Sandhu joined the AAP.

“In Muradpur alone, around a hundred youth have died due to drugs in the last two years,” Sohan added.

Lovepreet left behind a young daughter and his parents. “He wasn’t a regular addict,” said Rinku, another addict enrolled at a local OST (opioid substitution therapy) centre.

Lovepreet’s daughter with his photo. (Express Photo)

“Lovepreet used to take drugs occasionally. I don’t know how the overdose killed him. It is very sad,” said Rinku.

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Misguided beliefs

According to him, the reasons behind youth addiction vary — depression, lack of employment, and even misguided beliefs about enhanced sexual performance. “But once they start, they can’t stop. It ruins families.”

Rinku himself bears the scars of addiction — multiple injection marks run across his forearms. He pulled out a banned tablet from his purse.

Rinku with a banned tablet in his palm. (Express Photo)

“We get this medicine at the OST centre. It’s meant to be dissolved under the tongue, but when we inject it, the effect is stronger,” he confessed.

According to norms, Buprenorphine, a controlled drug used for opioid addiction treatment, cannot be provided to the addict to carry home. “These medicines are meant for controlled consumption, but they are smuggled out and misused,” said Sukhbir Singh, who is running an NGO working on rehabilitation.

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“The government runs awareness campaigns, but they are only for show. There’s no proper system to keep addicts under long-term care,” Said Sukhbir.

According to government data, Tarn Taran has around 30,000 enrolled addicts.

Sohan Singh, reflecting on his years in politics, said every government has failed to address the issue. “When I was with the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and Harmeet Singh Sandhu was MLA, the problem was the same. We alerted the party about local drug sellers, but no one listened. There were some people who were selling drugs. We told the party but party didn’t listen. Things got worse during the Congress government, and even today, the situation has not changed.”

“Problem is that those who sold drugs in the SAD(B) government joined the Congress in 2017 and then joined the AAP in 2022,” said Sohan Singh.
Sohan Singh is worried about Rinku, who finds it difficult to search for the veins to inject the drug.

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In May earlier this year, a man Muradpur died after attempting to inject drugs into a private part of his body, a sign of how far the desperation has spread.

“We have had enough campaigns,” said Sukhbir Singh. “If any government truly wants to end this, it must first fix the health system. Only then can addicts be treated and reintegrated into society.”

Tarn Taran bypoll

The Assembly seat goes to bypoll due to the death of the incumbent AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. The polling will be held on November 11 and the counting on November 14. The major candidates in the fray are Harmeet Singh Sandhu (AAP), Bibi Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa (SAD), Karanbir Singh Burj (Congress), and Harjeet Singh Sandhu (BJP).

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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