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Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Why no security for bizmen': Brother breaks down at Abohar trader's funeral
Abohar: Cutting across party lines, senior leaders from all major political parties joined thousands of locals on Tuesday to attend the last rites of , operator of New Wear Well showroom in Abohar, Fazilka district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Verma was shot dead in broad daylight outside his showroom on Monday. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, Congress state chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar, former MLA Devender Singh Ghubaya, SAD leader Vardev Singh Noni Mann, AAP constituency in-charge Arun Narang, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) functionary Vardev Singh Noni Mann, and several others, including Suresh Satija, and Harvinder Singh Harry, were present at the funeral. Verma's brother Jagat Verma broke down during the ceremony and questioned the Narendra Modi-led Centre over the alleged inaction against gangsters. "Despite paying heavy taxes, there is no security for businessmen in this country," he said, urging all political leaders to help secure justice for his slain brother. Following the funeral, BJP workers led by Sunil Jakhar staged a protest at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk, burning an effigy symbolising the collapse of law and order. Addressing the crowd, Jakhar said, "This is not just Sanjay's funeral pyre — it's Punjab's law and order that is burning today." He slammed the AAP-led govt for failing to deliver on its promises of curbing crime and eradicating drugs. AAP govt has surrendered to gangsters: Warring Warring condemned the daylight killing of Sanjay Verma and held the AAP govt responsible for the spiralling law and order situation. Speaking after attending the funeral, Warring extended condolences to the bereaved family and said the business community across Punjab was living in fear. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The AAP govt has completely surrendered to gangsters. The series of murders in recent days is a grim reminder of the prevailing anarchy," he said. Justice will prevail, says minister Cabinet minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, who visited the family on Tuesday, assured them of strict action against those involved in Verma's killing. "No one will be spared. The state govt stands firmly with the family and will ensure the culprits receive the harshest punishment," Khudian said, adding that the case will be made an example to deter such crimes in future. MSID:: 122321648 413 |
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab Police identify main accused behind Abohar trader's killing
A day after Abohar textile businessman Sanjay Verma, 54, was shot dead outside his showroom by three motorcycle-borne assailants, police on Tuesday said they have identified one of the accused as a local commission agent's helper through CCTV footage and were closing in on the trio. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar (centre) along with party workers attending the cremation of textile trader Sanjay Verma in Abohar on Tuesday. (HT Photo) Deputy inspector general (DIG), Ferozepur range, Harmanbir Singh Gill said, 'We have strong leads and are closing in on the culprits, including a 24-year-old helper of a local commission agent.' The helper, identified as Shakti of Azamgarh village in Abohar, has been missing from work since Saturday. Fazilka senior superintendent of police (SSP) Gurmeet Singh said that CCTV footage helped them identify Shakti, who was driving the motorcycle with the other two accused riding pillion. The trio abandoned the motorcycle in a lane near the government hospital in Abohar after firing eight-10 rounds at Verma as he stepped out of his Hyundai i20 outside his New Wear Well showroom. A case of murder has been registered against Shakti and the two unidentified accused. They have been booked under the Arms Act, too. Verma had reportedly received an extortion call days earlier. Punjab Police special DGP (law and order) Arpit Shukla inspected the crime spot in Abohar and is expected to brief the media later in the day. Meanwhile, leaders cutting across party lines attended Verma's cremation on Tuesday. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar, state Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar, Aam Aadmi Party leader Arun Narang, and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Vardev Singh Noni Mann were present. Grief turned into anger as Sanjay Verma's brother Jagat Verma questioned the government's inaction on gangsters. 'Why is the government sheltering criminals despite us paying taxes honestly? Why are businessmen not safe in their own land?' he said, demanding justice for his brother. Later, Sunil Jakhar said: 'The incident has shocked not just the people of Abohar but citizens across Punjab. The AAP government has failed in its duty to protect honest citizens.' The Punjab BJP held a symbolic protest against the deteriorating law and order situation in the border state. Raja Warring blamed both the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP, accusing them of complete failure in tackling gangsterism in Punjab. 'The state is witnessing a dangerous surge in gang wars. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann must resign on moral grounds,' he said. He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, saying, 'He meets global leaders abroad, but why does he not raise the issue of bringing back gangsters hiding in countries like the US and Canada?' The incident has triggered outrage among the business community of the town, who are now demanding tighter security and swift justice.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Opposition parties slam AAP govt over daylight murder of Abohar bizman
Opposition parties in Punjab on Monday lashed out at the AAP government over the broad daylight murder of a businessman by some unknown bikers in Abohar. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said the killing was an 'eerie reminder' of Punjab's law and order collapsing. (HT File) The parties termed the killing another reminder that the state's law and order has 'totally collapsed' and demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann resign from the post. Earlier in the day, a businessman was shot dead in a busy market by three unknown bikers, police said. Sanjay Verma, a co-owner of the 'New Wear Well Gents Tailor' showroom, was gunned down in broad daylight near Bhagat Singh Chowk, a bustling commercial area in Abohar. Verma had just stepped out of his car near his showroom when he was shot several times. As the three assailants tried to drive away, their motorcycle skidded. They ran for some distance before they snatched another bike from a commuter and escaped. Verma was rushed to the local civil hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Several trade associations have called for a complete shutdown of markets in protest against the killing. Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said the law and order in Punjab has 'plummeted to its lowest point.' 'The shocking daylight murder of Sanjay Verma, owner of The New Wear Well Tailors in Abohar, underscores the prevailing jungle raaj. Businessmen and professionals including doctors, artists & athletes are facing grave threats from extortionists,' he said. 'I strongly condemn this brutal killing and offer heartfelt condolences to the Verma family. The perpetrators must be arrested immediately and brought to justice,' Badal said in a post on X. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said the killing was an 'eerie reminder' of Punjab's law and order collapsing. 'Deafening silence of the AAP government after each such killing only emboldens the gangsters. CM Bhagwant Mann must tell Punjabis who is responsible for this blot on Punjab's name. Wake up, it's already too late,' Jakhar said on X. Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa demanded the resignation of Mann. 'CM @BhagwantMann must resign! Punjab's law and order is in shambles. The govt must hold a serious discussion on public safety in the upcoming Assembly session,' Bajwa said. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that Punjab was turning into a 'gangland' under the Aam Aadmi Party's rule. Warring also referred to a doctor, Aniljit Kambhoj, being shot at in Moga to condemn the state's law and order. '... In both the incidents criminal gangs are suspected to be involved. What is the @PunjabPoliceInd doing? This calls for stringent action lest the situation gets completely out of control,' Warring said on X.
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Punjab's land pooling policy and its criticism
A land pooling policy, meant to acquire more than 40,000 acres of farmland for housing purposes, has triggered protests in Punjab. Here's why. The Land Pooling Policy, 2025 is a flagship initiative of the Punjab government with the stated aim of promoting 'planned urban development'. Unlike in traditional land acquisition, where the state simply acquires land for compensation, the pooling initiative is meant to be voluntary. The policy seeks to check the proliferation of illegal colonies and arrest haphazard urban growth, while ensuring landowners remain stakeholders in development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said. For every 1 acre of land pooled, landowners will get a 1,000 sq yard residential plot and a 200 sq yard commercial plot (1 acre= 4,840 sq yards). In the case of larger contributions, for every 9 acres of pooled land the landowners will get 3 acres of developed land, suitable for group housing. For 50 acres pooled, they will get 30 acres of developed land. The policy is currently being rolled out in 27 cities across Punjab, in districts such as Ludhiana (24,000 acres targeted), Mohali (6,000 acres), Amritsar (4,464 acres), Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, and Sangrur. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is looking to generate roughly Rs 20,000 to 25,000 crore from the land pooling. With state elections set to take place by March 2027, the government has roughly a year-and-a-half to rule before the model code of conduct kicks in. Forcible land acquisition is a long process susceptible to arduous legal wrangling. The government anticipates that the voluntary pooling route will cut short the time for land acquisition while simultaneously helping generate funds for the cash-strapped state, sources said. These funds, sources indicate, might be used to finance the AAP government's ambitious pre-poll promise of paying a monthly sum of Rs 1,000 to all women in the state. Experts, however, argue that the policy needlessly diverts fertile agricultural land for urban use. 'By diverting almost 40,000 acres from agriculture to cities, we will lose almost 1.50 lakh tons of paddy production. Unfortunately, in most parts, the land is fertile,' one expert told The Indian Express. Punjab BJP Chief Sunil Jakhar has called this a 'ponzi scheme,' and accused the government of exploiting farmers with false promises. SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal has announced statewide protests against the move, calling it a 'land-grabbing scheme' designed to raise Rs 10,000 crore through bribes and benefit private developers. Critics say that the policy, based on the Punjab Regional Town Planning and Development Act, 1995, lacks the safeguards for compensation and resettlement provided under the Central Land Acquisition Act of 2013.
Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Drug money trail': Punjab BJP chief Jakhar writes to CM, seeks probe to track down end beneficiaries
Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Monday wrote to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, seeking a probe under the supervision of the high court chief justice into the 'drug money trail' to track down its 'powerful end beneficiaries'. 'It is imperative to follow the money in the drug money trail, without which the exercise to root out drugs from Punjab is not only futile but a farce as well,' Jakhar said. 'Arresting thousands of drug addicts and small players will not make much difference. The elephant in the room has to be addressed,' he added. Under the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign launched by the AAP government in Punjab three-and-a-half months back, more than 17,000 drug smugglers have been arrested, and large consignments of drugs have been seized. 'The flow of money has to be established to catch the big fish and arrest the end beneficiaries, be it politicians across party lines or officials. The drug cartels in Punjab cannot thrive without some or the other kind of patronage,' Jakhar said. 'I am writing to you with hope and caution to draw your attention towards the criticalness of an urgent probe under the direct supervision of Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu to track down the mighty and powerful end beneficiaries in the drug money trail, a primary source that has tormented Punjab,' the BJP leader said. 'This is important if your government wants to establish its credibility and resolve in its fight against drugs,' he added. Jakhar urged Mann to write to the chief justice, seeking his intervention to conduct a 'time-bound' probe by a credible agency, or multiple agencies, under his supervision to uncover the end beneficiaries in the drug money trail. Recovery of narcotics in Punjab goes into several thousand crores of rupees, 'which underlines the rot that exists', Jakhar said. 'The fortunes of several Punjab politicians have turned in the past few years, which cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. It raises a lot of stench and suspicion on the source of funding,' he said. The BJP leader also claimed that MLAs who rode bicycles now own luxury cars worth crores of rupees. 'Many have farmhouses spread over many acres. Since the quantum of money involved in the drug money trail is colossally huge, it reeks of money laundering, which can be probed by the Enforcement Directorate, or as deemed fit by the chief justice, since it could involve the high and mighty,' Jakhar said. Ministers, MLAs, party presidents, party in-charges, and leaders of all hues should be part of the investigation, he added. 'As the state BJP president, I offer myself to be the first to be probed as a mark of my and my party's sincerity and earnestness,' Jakhar said. 'Not just drug money trail, the probe should also include in its scope the trail of illicit money from mining and sand mafia so that the guilty can be brought to book,' he added.
