The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday claimed at least four suspected drug overdose deaths in Mandi Gobindgarh, even as the police raided a locality under the Yudh Nashian Virudh — the anti-drug campaign.

The police did not comment on the claim made by SAD core committee member and Amloh constituency in-charge Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna, but maintained that the drive would continue with sustained efforts and rehabilitation measures. Under the campaign, the police on Wednesday launched a cordon and search operation in Master Colony, Mandi Gobindgarh, targeting houses of suspected drug peddlers.

SSP Shubham Aggarwal said the district police had registered 1,930 drug cases and arrested 4,130 alleged peddlers since March last year.

He said around 2,000 addicts had been admitted to de-addiction centres for treatment, besides being provided with vocational training to help them rebuild their lives. He said no person involved in drug trafficking would be spared.

Meanwhile, Khanna alleged that drugs were being sold openly in Mandi Gobindgarh.

Claiming that four youths had died due to drug overdose in the town over the last few days, Khanna alleged that the government was concealing the actual number of drug-related deaths. He alleged that drug suppliers continued to operate freely.