In a major operation against illegal encroachment and drug-related activities, the district police, led by SSP Gaurav Toora, on Friday cleared 15 marlas of panchayat land unlawfully occupied by drug smuggler Parwinder Singh, alias Pinda, in Toti village near Sultanpur Lodhi. The operation was carried out under heavy police deployment.
SSP Toora while confirming it told The Tribune that the action was carried out following a written request from the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO), Sultanpur Lodhi.
A large contingent of police personnel was deployed in and around the village to ensure that the drive was conducted peacefully and without any disturbance. The administration used earthmoving machinery to clear the encroached panchayat land, which officials said had been under illegal occupation for a considerable period.
SSP Toora said the district police had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drug peddlers, suppliers and anti-social elements. He stated that the action was part of the administration’s larger campaign to reclaim public land and dismantle the influence of individuals involved in the narcotics trade.
The SSP disclosed that the encroachment was allegedly linked to Parvinder Singh, against whom seven cases under the NDPS Act have been registered at Sultanpur Lodhi and Lohian police stations. He informed that the accused is presently lodged in jail and that strict legal action has already been initiated against him in multiple criminal cases. Highlighting the impact of sustained police operations in the region, SSP Toora said village Toti, which had earlier earned notoriety as a drug hotspot, has witnessed a significant decline in drug supply and related illegal activities in recent months. He credited the improvement to continuous monitoring, intensified enforcement drives and close coordination between the police and civil administration. The demolition drive received widespread support from local residents, as they lauded the administration for taking firm action against encroachers and individuals allegedly involved in the drug network. Villagers expressed hope that the reclaiming of panchayat land and the ongoing anti-drug campaign would help restore a safer and healthier environment in the area.
Appealing to the public for collective participation in the fight against drugs, SSP Toora urged families and community members to encourage drug addicts to seek timely treatment and rehabilitation at de-addiction centres. He stressed that while police action against traffickers and suppliers would continue with full force, social awareness and rehabilitation remained equally important in addressing the menace of substance abuse.
