New Delhi/Chandigarh, October 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday criticised the Punjab government over the alleged deterioration in law and order, saying the state was facing growing challenges from drug trafficking, gangsterism and organised crime.
Shah said the Centre would seek a response from the Punjab government regarding two incidents: the death of a man from Dirba who allegedly consumed poison following harassment, and the broad-daylight killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.
In a post on X, the Home Minister questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the safety of people in Punjab and raised concerns about the protection of those speaking out against drug abuse.
Referring to the two incidents, Shah said they had raised serious questions about the state’s law-and-order situation. He also noted that Jhota’s father had levelled allegations against the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government and its MLA.
Shah said the Union Home Ministry would seek explanations from the Punjab government regarding both cases.
Parvinder Singh Jhota, an activist known for raising his voice against drug abuse, was shot dead at a busy market in Mansa on Tuesday. According to reports, medical store owner Ashwani Kumar allegedly opened fire on Jhota when the activist questioned him over the sale of addictive drugs to an elderly man. The accused was subsequently arrested.
The other incident involved Gulzar Singh, a resident of Dirba in Sangrur district, who died by suicide on September 7. His family alleged that he consumed poison after being harassed and subjected to casteist remarks following his questioning of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema at an event about the availability of drugs in his locality.
The issue of drug trafficking has become a major political concern in Punjab ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for early next year, with opposition parties, including the BJP, intensifying their criticism of the state government.
Targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Shah said the people of Punjab wanted concrete action rather than promises and publicity. He called for decisive action against drug networks and impartial investigations into allegations of political protection for criminals.
The Home Minister also reiterated the BJP’s commitment to tackling drugs and organised crime in Punjab, saying that if the party came to power in the state, it would prioritise making Punjab drug-free, gangster-free and secure.
He said the party’s focus would be on dismantling drug networks, protecting young people, taking strict action against criminals and strengthening the rule of law.
The Punjab government’s response to Shah’s latest remarks was not included in the report.
