The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday vehemently criticized the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the recent murders of two anti-drug activists. The strong condemnation from New Delhi followed the second such killing in as many days, intensifying scrutiny on the state's law and order situation.
Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh, speaking at a press conference hours after the second incident, highlighted the escalating danger faced by those fighting drug abuse. Forty-year-old anti-drug activist Bikramjit Singh was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen in Batala district on Friday. This tragedy occurred just a day after the brutal murder of noted activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa on Thursday, who was reportedly slain after confronting a drug peddler.
Chugh, also the BJP's Central Office In-charge, accused the Mann government of being a "mute spectator" to these daylight killings, asserting that raising a voice against drugs in Punjab has become a life-threatening act. He claimed the drug mafia's reign has reached alarming levels, with whistleblowers being targeted, and that the state administration has failed both in curbing the syndicate and ensuring citizens' security. The BJP leader further cited a deteriorating public confidence amidst pervasive lawlessness, mentioning ongoing killings and even grenade attacks on police stations. He recalled the case of Gulzar Singh, who was harassed for exposing 'chitta' sales and compelled to die by suicide, drawing a stark comparison to Jhota's daylight murder in a crowded marketplace despite repeated calls for police assistance.
Dismissing the Mann government's 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' campaign as an "utter failure," Chugh labeled the Punjab Chief Minister's high-level meeting a "futile exercise." He questioned its efficacy, stating, "Nearly five years have passed, and for 55 months the state government did nothing. What can it achieve in the final few weeks now?" He reiterated the BJP's claim that the AAP government operates under the remote control of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia from Delhi, arguing that Bhagwant Mann's initiatives would therefore yield no benefit. Chugh concluded by stating that Punjab was gripped by distress and fear, while the government remained preoccupied with serving its Delhi leadership.
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📰 Source: Mangalorean News