Irked over alleged drug menace and recent incidents of loot and snatching, residents and the panchayat of Burj Rathi village in Mansa district have demanded the establishment of a police post along the Bathinda-Mansa road between Burj Rathi and Bhai Desa villages.The villagers held a gathering over the issue and have decided to convene an aam izlaas (general public assembly) on Saturday, where a resolution seeking the police post is expected to be passed.Village Sarpanch Darshan Singh, who belongs to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, said two recent incidents, which residents believe involved loot, had caused concern in the village. He said villagers suspected that drug addicts could be behind the incidents.Local resident and District Cooperative Union Director Beant Singh said a truck driver returning home on a motorcycle was recently allegedly attacked, critically injured and robbed of around Rs 12,000.Residents said Joga police station is around 15 km from the village, while the existing police post at Thuthianwali, which falls under another police station, is approximately 10 km away.Sub-Inspector Kulwant Singh, SHO of Joga Police Station, visited the village on Thursday. He said the police were taking prompt action to address public safety concerns. However, he said the two incidents characterised as loot were road mishaps. He also claimed that drug activities in the area were virtually nonexistent.


