Drug cartels, extortionists, killers running parallel government: Bajwa

Indian Express

15 hours ago

Congress Sunday questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's 'silence' on the daylight murder of businessman Sanjay Verma and alleged that 'drug cartels, extortionists, and killers are running a parallel government while Punjab Police stands as mute spectators.'
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said, 'Verma's brutal murder in broad daylight outside his showroom is not just a tragedy — it is a chilling warning to every businessman in Punjab. He was an entrepreneur who employed over 500 people. And he was shot dead in broad daylight. Why? Because extortion gangs now rule this state'.
Bajwa was speaking to reporters after attending a memorial for Verma. 'Traders are gripped by panic. If Verma can be killed so openly, who is safe anymore?' Bajwa asked.
'Where is CM Mann? Where is the Home Minister? His silence is not just shameful — it is criminal negligence. The ruling AAP has surrendered the state to gangsters. Drug cartels, extortionists, and killers are running a parallel government while Punjab Police stands as mute spectators,' he said.
Bajwa accused the state government of avoiding accountability in the Assembly, refusing even to allow discussion on the law and order crisis.
'Congress demands immediate action. We demand resignation of CM Mann for failing in his duty as home minister and a high court-monitored judicial probe into Verma's murder. We also demand a Special Assembly session dedicated to discussions on law and order situtation and business community protection,' he added.
'Punjab's entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy. They are terrified, and rightfully so. If this government doesn't act now, Punjab's economy will bleed and the blame will lie squarely at the feet of Bhagwant Mann,' Bajwa warned.
Meanwhile, Ludhiana MP and state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said that the 'gangsters have created an atmosphere of fear akin to the one prevailing during the terrorism days in Punjab.' He said, extortion calls have become a routine and helpless people are forced to pay up and they do not even dare to complain.
Warring, who addressed 'Samwidhan Bachao (Save Constitution)' rallies in Payal and Gill Assembly segments of Ludhiana, also called for radical police reforms to fix responsibility and accountability over the registration of fake FIRs.
Warring also showered praise on former chief minister Beant Singh, who belonged to Payal. The happy and prosperous Punjab that we all today, was restored by Beant Singh by his blood, Warring said, adding the state can never forget his sacrifice.
He pointed out, how the Congress led by Beant Singh came forward to fight the elections in 1992, while the Akalis ran away. 'While some ran away to America and Canada, others hid themselves behind the bars in the jails,' he said.
Referring to the menace of drugs prevailing in Punjab, he said, there was no magic wand to finish it instantly. He underlined the need for providing jobs to youth, which can act as great antidote against drugs. He said, there was a huge number of vacancies which the AAP government was not filling as it did not have money.
Warring suggested exploring the option of providing legalized and regulated traditional things like opium and poppy husk, which are less harmful than the synthetic drugs. He quoted the example of Canada where cannabis was legalized in 2017.
Congress general secretary and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa lashed out at the BJP for spreading disinformation. He challenged the party to list one achievement during or after the freedom struggle of the country, for the nation. He said, the Congress does not need any certificate from BJP, Akali Dal or the AAP.
Randhawa warned the government against its attempts to acquire about one lakh acres of land saying it will destroy Punjab's economy. He said, this comes to stop the income of farmers worth Rs 50,000 crore.