Who will protect Punjab’s people? Amit Shah hits out at Mann govt over Jhota murder and drug crisis

PTC Web Desk: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the state’s law and order situation and its handling of drugs. He said Punjab was facing a serious crisis of drugs, gangsterism and organised crime and that the state government had failed to bring it under control.

Amit Shah asked who would take responsibility for the safety of people’s lives and property in Punjab if the Bhagwant Mann government could not.

Reference to Mansa and Dirba cases

Amit Shah pointed to two recent incidents. One was a suicide by a man in Dirba. The other was the murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota, a young man who had spoken out against drug sellers in Mansa. Jhota was shot dead in public in broad daylight.

According to Shah, these incidents show that conditions in Punjab now resemble “jungle raj.”

Centre to seek reply from state

Amit Shah said Jhota’s father had made serious allegations against the AAP government and its MLAs. He said the Union Home Ministry had taken serious note of this and would ask the Punjab government for a response.

Message to the Chief Minister

Addressing the Chief Minister directly, Amit Shah said, “Bhagwant Mann ji, the people of Punjab want answers, not empty publicity. They need solid results, not hollow announcements.”

He demanded that the drug network be broken up. He also called for a fair investigation into the alleged political protection being given to criminals.

Amit Shah repeated that if the BJP forms the government in Punjab, it would work to make the state free of drugs and gangsters. He said the main aims would be to break the back of the drug trade, protect the future of young people, take the strictest action against criminals, and ensure every citizen can live without fear.

Meanwhile, three days after the killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, his family and the protest committee, Insaf Morcha, formed after his death have refused to cremate his body for now. They have also declined to allow a post-mortem.

The committee has said the body will not be handed over for last rites until Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav resign. It has also demanded a firm assurance that the case will be investigated by the CBI.

Mansa market reopens

The committee appealed to traders in Mansa to reopen their shops after the town stayed shut for three days. The market opened on Friday, though the usual rush was missing and the town looked quieter than normal.

Jathedar calls Jhota a martyr

Jhota was shot dead by Ashwani Kumar, who owns a medical store. Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, has described him as a “national martyr.”

Jathedar Gargaj said Jhota had been fighting against drugs in Punjab and gave his life for the cause. He said Jhota died for the youth of Punjab and for every household.

Gargaj visited the protest site at Tikoni, near the Deputy Commissioner’s residence in Mansa. He questioned whether the suspension of the local SHO was enough action in the case and demanded decisive steps against drug trafficking.

“Bhai Parwinder Singh gave his life in the fight against drugs. He is a martyr. The government should listen carefully. Is suspending the SHO enough? This is not a political issue. It is a question of our existence,” he said.

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