Punjab village bans energy drinks: Violators to face social boycott; migrants must undergo police verification

SANGRUR: A village panchayat in Punjab's Sangrur district has banned energy drinks as part of a broader campaign to protect the health of its youth.The 10-member panchayat of Uppali village includes four women.

The panchs are aged between 30 and 42 years. Some have studied only up to matriculation, while some are graduates. The decision was taken unanimously, said sarpanch Jangir Singh.

The panchayat has adopted a resolution that anyone who violates the ban will face social boycott. Shopkeepers have pledged their support to the move.Large banners announcing the ban have been put up at every entry point of the village. Jangir Singh explained that the move began with a simple appeal to shopkeepers.

"Initially, we started by requesting shopkeepers to stop selling energy drinks," he said.Panchayat orders migrants to undergo police verification The sarpanch added that at first, some shopkeepers expressed concern about losses, but they soon agreed, recognising the larger benefit for children's healthThe trigger for the ban was the realisation that many drug addicts were mixing narcotics with energy drinks, said Singh. The small community was alarmed. "Moreover, doctors have been warning about the ill-effects of these drinks on children.

They were being sold in large quantities," added the sarpanch.Beyond energy drinks, the panchayat passed several other strict resolutions. No one caught selling or consuming drugs in the village will receive community support for bail or release. Medical shops have been directed not to sell syringes without valid authorization, and violators will face legal action. "Social order has also been brought under regulation.

Couples from the same village who marry and attempt to settle in Uppali will not be allowed residence. Migrants living in the village must undergo police verification, and the report must be submitted to the panchayat. No voter IDs or any ID cards will be issued for them. Property sales will only be endorsed if there is unanimous family consent. This step was taken to prevent confrontations in matters related to the sale of land witnessing a dispute between brothers or families," said sarpanch Jangir Singh.The resolutions also place curbs on noise and public nuisance. DJ music at weddings is restricted to 10 pm in line with district rules. Tractors carrying sound systems are barred from entering inner village lanes, and motorcyclists using loud horns or firecracker-like exhausts will face action.