Punjab losing faith in governance, says Pilot over rising crime, drug menace

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab over the drug menace and deteriorating law and order, alleging that those exposing an alleged nexus between criminals, politicians and police were being targeted.

Speaking to reporters in Shahkot, Pilot referred to the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa and claimed that public confidence in the state's governance system was steadily eroding.

"Now, unfortunately, the people of Punjab are losing hope in the system of governance. That's why people are fleeing the state. People do not want to come back here. Young people are disillusioned," he said.

The Congress leader warned that growing public distrust in institutions could have serious consequences for society, irrespective of electoral outcomes.

"The elections will come and go, parties will win and lose, but people's faith in the system cannot be compromised," he added.

𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗝𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲

Pilot cited the October 13 killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota, an activist known for campaigning against the illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops.

Jhota was shot dead inside a medical store in a busy marketplace in Mansa. According to police, the accused, shop owner Ashwani Kumar, allegedly opened fire after Jhota questioned him over the sale of addictive drugs to an elderly man.

Kumar was subsequently taken into custody from Salasar in Rajasthan.

Referring to the killing, Pilot alleged that people who challenged criminal activities or exposed alleged wrongdoing were facing serious threats.

He accused the AAP government of failing to create an environment in which citizens could raise concerns about drug trafficking and criminal activities without fearing retaliation.

His allegations concerning an alleged nexus between politicians, police and criminals have not been independently established.

𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿

Pilot is on a five-day visit to Punjab to meet families affected by gang violence and demand justice for victims.

On the third day of his visit, he met the family of prominent kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian in Shahkot.

Ambian was shot dead during an ongoing kabaddi match in Jalandhar in March 2022, an incident that had raised concerns over organised crime and targeted killings in the state.

Pilot expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and reiterated the Congress's demand for accountability in cases involving gang-related violence.

He said the increasing sense of insecurity among residents was particularly worrying for young people who were losing confidence in the state's institutions.

𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗺𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴

The Congress leader also criticised the BJP over the drug menace, arguing that the party could not escape responsibility because it had previously shared power in Punjab with the Shiromani Akali Dal.

He questioned the Centre's efforts to prevent the movement of narcotics and illegal weapons across the international border with Pakistan.

"Today the BJP is in power in Delhi. They have the home ministry and the defence ministry. The borders of Pakistan are porous," Pilot said.

"Drugs and guns are coming over the border. What is the Government of India doing? What is the home ministry doing?" he asked.

Pilot maintained that tackling the drug problem required accountability from both the state government and central authorities responsible for border security.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘄𝗹𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆

Earlier, Pilot, accompanied by Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh, visited the family of Bhupinder Singh Chawla, popularly known as Timmy Chawla, in Nakodar.

Chawla was shot dead four years ago after allegedly receiving repeated ransom demands and death threats.

According to Pilot, Chawla had approached police over the threats but was subsequently killed in broad daylight. Police constable Mandeep Singh, who had been assigned to protect him, also died in the attack.

The Congress leaders assured the family that they would make every effort to secure justice.

"I met the family of late Bhupinder Singh Chawla (Timmy Chawla). Four years ago, Timmy Chawla had been receiving repeated ransom threats. Despite filing a police complaint, he continued to face death threats. He was shot dead in broad daylight," Pilot said.

He added that the killing of the policeman assigned to Chawla's security underscored the seriousness of the incident.

"The increasing incidents of threats, extortion, and gunfire in broad daylight in Punjab are deeply concerning. They are increasing insecurity among citizens, claiming innocent lives, and emboldening criminals," he said.

Pilot reiterated that restoring public confidence in law enforcement and ensuring justice for victims of gang violence should remain priorities for the state government.