Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is set to embark on a crucial tour of the state’s border districts in the last week of September — a move that comes against the backdrop of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s attempts to foster better relations with Kataria after bitter clashes with his predecessor Banwari Lal Purohit.
The visit has raised curiosity, as Mann had previously locked horns with Purohit over similar tours, particularly regarding border security and drug trafficking. It will be interesting to observe how Mann responds to Kataria’s tour, given the sensitive history surrounding such visits.
It has been learnt that Kataria will spend three days, from September 25 to 28, visiting key districts along the border, including Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, and Pathankot. Though the Governor's office is yet to confirm the exact details, officials in these districts have already been put on high alert.
Kataria’s visit marks his first official tour of the border districts and follows in the footsteps of Purohit, who had made seven trips to the region during his tenure. Purohit had frequently criticized the AAP Government, raising serious concerns about illegal mining and drug trafficking, and had pointed out that drug addiction had infiltrated even the younger population, with school children becoming victims.
Purohit’s stance on these issues often put him at odds with Mann, leading to a strained relationship. The former Governor’s criticism included not just local governance but also the apparent lack of coordination among security agencies operating in these sensitive areas.
During his last visits to border areas in July this year, Purohit had drawn attention to the growing use of drones by Pakistan to smuggle drugs into Punjab. He warned that despite measures to counter these tactics, large portions of the State remained vulnerable. Purohit emphasized that local villagers often knew about these illegal activities but were too afraid to report them. He noted a lack of coordination between Central and State security agencies, which further hampered efforts to tackle drug smuggling.
To combat this, Purohit had launched several initiatives, including the formation of Village Defence Committees and the incentivization of residents to report suspicious activities. He had announced that villages ridding themselves of drugs would receive a reward of Rs three lakhs from the Governor’s Fund. His efforts extended to enhancing communication between various agencies, including the Army, BSF, NIA, and local police, by mandating monthly meetings aimed at improving cooperation and efficiency. Purohit had also allocated funds to strengthen the state’s anti-drone measures, aiming to cover more vulnerable areas.
With Kataria now stepping into the spotlight, it remains to be seen whether he will continue these measures or introduce new strategies to address the ongoing issues of drug trafficking and illegal activities in the border districts.
His upcoming visit, which includes engagements with security agencies and local communities, is highly anticipated. Residents of these districts are expected to provide crucial feedback on the challenges they face, particularly regarding drug smuggling and cross-border threats.
Kataria’s response to these concerns will be critical in shaping the state’s strategy moving forward, especially as Mann watches closely to see how the Governor navigates this politically sensitive terrain.
