Rahul's statement on drug addiction is 'immature': Sukhbir

Chandigarh, Oct 13:

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Oct 12 termed as "immature" the statement of

on drug addiction among youths in Punjab and said he made the remarks to divert the attention from various scams.

"The immature statement by the Congress general secretary that 7 out of 10 youths in Punjab are drug addicts was a diversionary exercise to deflect the attention of media from ongoing Vadragate and Coalgate," Sukhbir said here.

With such statement, Sukhbir said, "Rahul had insulted youths of Punjab." Dubbing Rahul's Punjab visit as "purely a political exercise", the SAD leader said, "By making this statement, he (Rahul) has tried to cover up the internal contradictions and infighting in the Punjab unit of Congress."

Rahul, addressing a rally organised by the National Students Union of India (NSUI) at Punjab University campus here yesterday had said, "what is happening to human resources in Punjab. 7 out of 10 youths have the problem of drugs."

Sukhbir held Union Home Ministry under whose command Border Security Force operates responsible for an increase in trans-border smuggling of drugs and ammunition. "Punjab cannot be blamed for increasing flow of drugs as BSF has failed to check the inflow of drugs," he said.

He claimed that drug recoveries by Punjab police during last five years were more than 50 per cent of national recovery. "It is imperative for Union Government to properly seal the border with Pakistan to check the menace of smuggling of drugs, ammunitions and fake currency," he said.

PTI