The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is under attack from opposition parties over the rising crime graph in Punjab. The 19 murders in just 21 days have sparked a controversy. The opposition has alleged that the AAP government has handed over the state to criminals. Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have come under sharp criticism over the rising crime graph.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, former president of Pradesh Congress Committee, said, “Law and order has completely collapsed in Punjab. The CM is busy seeking votes in the cold winds of Himachal. On an average three to four murders are taking place daily. People are in panic. ” At the same time, Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema said that there is a feeling of insecurity in the minds of the people after AAP formed the government in Punjab.
Cheema said, “The formation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government after Punjab had created a sense of insecurity in the minds of Punjabis. AAP has been exposed. Two AAP chief ministers each making false claims about corruption. We request Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to take immediate action. Instead of engaging in false propaganda, take corrective steps.”
Interstate and international gangsters alliance
The claims of Punjab Police to wipe out organized crime gangs and gangsters in the past have proved to be false. Preliminary investigations into recently reported cases have shed light on a new deadly nexus between inter-state and international gangsters apart from Khalistani supporters. Local gangs are getting financial help. Gangs in Punjab were also being aided by gangs from Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh who were not only killing kabaddi players but also extorting money from Punjabi film stars and singers. An Army Military Intelligence report sent to the Punjab Police in 2016 stated that gangsters from the state could pose a serious threat to national security.
punjab government will constitute anti gangster task force
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has announced the formation of an Anti-Gangster Task Force which will reform the existing unit called Organized Crime Control Unit. According to AAP spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang, the task force will be headed by an ADGP rank officer. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken the recent killings seriously and directed district police chiefs to keep law and order under control. Bhagwant Mann said, “I will personally hold you responsible for any law and order violation in your jurisdiction, as you are liable under the law.”
Gangster and politicians nexus
The Punjab Police Crime Wing report says that state politicians patronized gangsters to use against their political opponents. Senior police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the gangs cannot survive without political patronage. Leaders of political parties including Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal have been accusing each other of alleged links with gangsters.
Gangster Prabhjinder Dimpy was allegedly in a relationship with Akali Dal leader (Amritsar) Simranjit Singh Mann. Dimpy later worked with Mukhtar Ansari. Another gangster Jaswinder Rocky also contested the 2012 elections and openly supported Sher Singh Ghubaya of Akali Dal. He was murdered in 2016. Lakkha Sidhana, a gangster-turned-social activist, was once a supporter of Akali Dal leader Sikandar Singh Maluka. He was later seen with Congress leader Manpreet Singh Badal when they formed a political party.