Ludhiana, December 1
Former Ludhiana District Congress Committee (Urban) President and senior Congress leader Pawan Dewan has voiced grave concern over the worsening law and order situation. Citing yesterday’s firing incident at a Marriage Palace in Ludhiana, Dewan, in a statement released today, demanded a thorough probe into the procedure of granting arms licenses.
Dewan described the firing incident, which claimed two lives, as profoundly tragic and deeply alarming. He noted that Ludhiana hosts countless public events each day, drawing large gatherings of people. “Yet, the manner in which this episode unfolded has cast grave doubts not only on the state of law and order but also on the alarming surge in arms licenses issued in recent years”, he opined.
Commenting on the incident, Dewan remarked that those involved in the celebratory firing displayed clear criminal tendencies. He stressed, “It is imperative to launch a decisive crackdown on such elements. Equally urgent is a thorough investigation into the manner in which weapons and arms licenses—particularly those issued in recent years—were granted, to ensure that firearms meant for self‑defence are never misused as instruments of showmanship or criminality.”
Dewan has called for stern action against the officers responsible for the flawed verification that led to the licensing of the weapons from which shots were fired. He urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to issue uncompromising directives, ensuring a full-scale and transparent investigation into the matter.
