A17-year-old boy died under suspicious circumstances in Punjab’s Fazilka district, triggering a protest by his family and villagers over the alleged sale of drugs in their area.
The police have registered an FIR and launched an investigation into the death.
The deceased, identified as Abhijot Singh, son of Harjinder Singh, was found dead on a bed inside a house in Ghattianwali Jattan village. According to local residents, Abhijot had passed Class 10.
The incident came to light after family members went looking for him and found him dead inside the house. His sudden death sparked anger among villagers, who gathered at the spot and questioned the police over the alleged easy availability of drugs in the area.
Villagers have alleged that Abhijot died after consuming chitta, a local term commonly used for heroin. The family has also alleged that a drug injection may have been involved. However, the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, and the allegations remain under investigation.
Villagers also alleged that Abhijot’s father died around a year and three months ago due to drug use. His body was reportedly found near a canal. With Abhijot’s death, his mother and grandmother are now left behind, residents said.
The villagers claimed that drugs were being sold openly in the house where Abhijot’s body was found. They also pointed to lighters and other items they said were used for drug consumption. Residents further alleged that another young man in the village had died about a week earlier due to chitta use.
During the protest, villagers confronted the police and demanded strict action against those allegedly involved in the drug trade. They accused the authorities of failing to curb the easy availability of narcotics, comparing the alleged sale of chitta in the village to the sale of everyday grocery items.
Police personnel reached the spot after receiving information about the death. Officers were seen asking villagers to record their statements as part of the investigation. The police have registered an FIR, while the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death remain under investigation.
Punjab’s drug problem
The incident comes amid continued concern over drug abuse and alleged trafficking in Punjab. In May 2026, the death of another teenager in Fazilka district, whose family alleged that he had been forcibly administered a drug injection, triggered protests and a road blockade. The Punjab State Human Rights Commission subsequently sought a report from the district police chief in that case.
The Punjab government has also been pursuing its Yudh Nashian Virudh anti-drug campaign, combining enforcement against alleged traffickers with prevention and rehabilitation measures. The government said in September that the campaign had resulted in tens of thousands of arrests since its launch in March 2025.