Chandigarh, October 13
Former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Tuesday strongly criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government following the daylight murder of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in a market area of Mansa, noting that the incident exposed the complete failure of law and order in the state.
Expressing serious concern over the killing, Warring said Jhota had stood up against Punjab’s drug menace but was shot dead in public, raising serious questions about the safety of those working against the drug trade and the state government’s ability to maintain law and order.
In a statement, Warring directly questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, saying the killing had exposed the government’s failure to ensure the safety of citizens.
“Bhagwant Mann, your government’s face has been completely exposed,” Warring said, asserting that the daylight murder of a man fighting against drugs laid bare the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Punjab.
He questioned how people who raised their voices against the drug menace could be expected to remain safe when an activist campaigning against the problem was allegedly murdered in broad daylight.
“When those who stand up against drugs are not safe, what has your government reduced Punjab to?” Warring asked.
The Congress leader also demanded accountability from the state government, questioning who would take responsibility for the killing and the security concerns it had raised.
“Who will take responsibility?” he asked, holding the Mann government accountable for the prevailing situation.
The killing has brought renewed political focus on the drug menace and law-and-order situation in Punjab, with Warring using the incident to question the state government’s claims and its handling of the challenge posed by drugs.