HOSHIARPUR: Police have registered a case after Manpreet Singh alias Manna, an inmate lodged in Hoshiarpur jail and an accused in multiple extortion and firing cases, allegedly livestreamed videos from inside the prison claiming drugs were being supplied to inmates.In one of the videos, Manna displayed a small packet and claimed it contained ‘ICE’ (methamphetamine), a synthetic narcotic.Manna was arrested by Patiala Police in December last year following an encounter and was described by police as an alleged associate of the Lucky Patial gang. He is also an accused in the murder case of former gangster Kulbir Naruana.“I can reveal who are the officers involved in supplying drugs in Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur jails. I never used ‘ICE’ outside, but it is available inside,” Manna claimed in the video while displaying the packet.He also challenged authorities to take him on police remand, claiming he would reveal the names of officials allegedly involved in the supply of drugs inside prisons.Manna named a woman jail official and levelled allegations against her. He claimed that the mobile phone used for the livestream belonged to the official.In the video, Manna mocked Punjab government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign and alleged torture inside jail. “Please stop the torture in jail or get us shot dead,” he said.Hoshiarpur SSP Sandeep Malik they had registered a case over the seizure of the mobile phone used by the jail inmate and would carry out a thorough investigation, including connivance of any officials in wrongdoings.Hoshiarpur Central Jail superintendent Satnam Singh said an inquiry into the viral video had been initiated. He said further action would be taken based on the findings of the investigation.The incident triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties, which questioned the government’s claims on law and order and its anti-drug campaign. Incidentally, Punjab jail minister Dr Ravjot Singh represents Hoshiarpur. Attempts to contact him for comment were unsuccessful.Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said the incident raised serious questions about accountability.“Now it is live from Hoshiarpur jail. The question is simple: Who is the jail minister? If such incidents are happening inside Punjab’s jails, who will take responsibility? For years, AAP govt has claimed to have transformed law and order, yet videos and reports continue to expose the reality on the ground. Punjab deserves answers, not excuses,” he posted on social media.Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal also questioned how narcotics could allegedly find their way into prisons despite the government’s anti-drug drive.“Why is the AAP govt, which claims success in its war against drugs, unable to stop the supply of narcotics even inside prisons?” Badal posted, demanding an impartial probe into the allegations. He also questioned when responsibility would be fixed and whether the jail minister should resign.
