Mansa, October 13
Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader S. Ravneet Singh Bittu was detained by Mansa Police today when he visited the Civil Hospital in Mansa to enquire about the well-being of those injured in the shooting incident in which Parvinder Jhotta was shot dead.
Expressing shock and anguish over the incident, Bittu held the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government responsible for its failure to protect the lives of ordinary citizens in Punjab. He questioned the deteriorating law-and-order situation and the alleged open sale of drugs, despite repeated warnings and complaints about the growing drug menace.
Bittu said that Parvinder Jhotta had openly spoken against drug trafficking and had reportedly declared a war against drug smugglers. Despite the threats associated with his campaign, serious questions remain about why adequate security was not provided to him and why the authorities failed to act effectively against those allegedly involved in the drug trade.
The former Union Minister expressed surprise at reports that there is only one Medical Inspector for three districts. He questioned how the government intends to tackle the drug menace effectively when the necessary enforcement staff is reportedly inadequate. He demanded an explanation from the Punjab government and raised questions about the accountability of the Health Department and the Health Minister.
“If complaints about the open sale of drugs were repeatedly being raised, why was the administration unable to take effective action? Where was the enforcement machinery when people were openly drawing attention to this menace? The government must explain why adequate protection was not provided despite the threats faced by those speaking against drug trafficking,” Bittu said.
Bittu also questioned the police’s reported conclusion that the shooting was the result of personal enmity before a thorough investigation had established the facts.
“How can the police reach a conclusion about personal enmity without a fair and comprehensive investigation? Every possible angle must be examined, including whether the incident has any connection with the drug trade. The investigation must be impartial, evidence-based and free from political pressure,” he asserted.
Bittu further pointed out that the father of Parvinder Jhotta had appealed to Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah to intervene in the matter and ensure that justice is delivered. He urged the authorities to take the family’s concerns seriously and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Taking a dig at the AAP government, Bittu said that while he had personally visited the Civil Hospital to meet the injured and enquire about their condition, no representative of the AAP government was present there to express concern or offer support to the affected families.
“It is deeply unfortunate that a senior public representative visiting a hospital to enquire about injured citizens is detained by the police. My purpose was to meet the victims, understand their condition and seek answers from the administration. Instead of addressing the concerns of the people, the government appears more interested in preventing questions from being raised,” Bittu said.
Bittu held Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home portfolio, accountable for the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Punjab and demanded that the government explain its failure to protect citizens from violence and the drug menace.
Bittu demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the shooting, accountability for any administrative lapses, effective action against drug traffickers and a comprehensive review of security arrangements for individuals facing threats because of their campaign against drugs. He asserted that the people of Punjab deserve security, accountability and justice—not intimidation when they seek answers from the government.
