Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused the Akali Dal, BJP and Congress of contributing to Punjab’s drug problem during a heated Assembly session. He alleged that opposition leaders had failed to tackle drug trafficking and urged them to answer questions on the issue. Cheema also appealed to the State government to expedite road construction to protect people’s lives and property.

Family members of Ajay Kumar, the Abohar shootout victim, staged a protest outside the Punjab Assembly in Chandigarh for the second consecutive day, demanding justice. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to meet the grieving family and offer his condolences. Jakhar also demanded justice for Kumar’s family and warned that he would stage a sit-in outside Mann’s residence if the Chief Minister failed to meet them.