Chandigarh, March 11 The Narcotics Control Bureau has arrested a village sarpanch in Punjab's Tarn Taran district in connection with a drug recovery case, officials said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Paramjit Singh alias Pamma, the sarpanch of Kalsian village, was taken into custody.
The arrest has sparked a political controversy in the state, with opposition leaders criticizing the AAP government, alleging that Pamma was supported by the ruling party.
Pamma was presented before a local court, which ordered his two-day judicial remand, an NCB official said.
Pamma's arrest followed the interrogation of three individuals who were apprehended in the drug recovery case last month.
On February 15, the NCB arrested three drug peddlers and recovered 9 kg of heroin, 6 kg of methamphetamine, and 3 kg of opium from their possession, the official said.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh criticized the AAP government over the arrest, saying that the "truth" about the Bhagwant Mann-led government, which claims to be fighting against drugs under the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign, has been exposed.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Virsa Singh Valtoha claimed that Pamma was the president of the village defence committee, formed to check cross-border drug smuggling.
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira claimed that the sarpanch had put up welcome banners for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during his visit to Khemkaran on March 7.