CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today said the collapse of the law and order situation in Punjab post formation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had created a feeling of insecurity in the minds of Punjabis and requested chief minister Bhagwant Mann to take immediate corrective steps instead of remaining busy in propaganda exercises.
In a statement here, senior SAD leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said the law and order situation had taken a turn for the worse immediately after AAP came into power in the State and that it had become alarming now. “We have not only witnessed the killing of Kabaddi players but also shoot outs by gangsters, clashes during the takeover of the Jaito truck union and even communal disturbances”.
Dr Cheema said there was a feeling that the government had given a clear signal to the police force that AAP workers should be allowed a free hand. “This is why we witnessed AAP leaders taking the law in their own hands at Jaito even as the police force remained mute spectorators. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that the former Rampura Phul municipal councilor and AAP leader Surinder Bansal even tore the uniform of a SHO besides punching the officer in the face at Rampura police station recently”.
Describing this trend as dangerous for civil society, Dr Cheema said the chief minister should devote appropriate time to take review meetings of the police force. He said instructions should be passed to the police force to maintain law and order strictly and not feel intimidated by AAP leaders. “Unfortunately instead of doing this, the emphasis is on creating hype with big announcements like creation of an Anti-Gangster Task Force while the need of the hour are strict directions to all police stations to conduct law and order duties in the utmost professional manner”.
Dr Cheema said criminals were taking advantage of the laxity in enforcing law and order due to which petty crime had also increased. “The State is witnessing an increase in snatchings and robberies besides incidents like looting of ATM machines. Concrete steps including increasing patrolling, night patrolling and zero tolerance towards crime should be implemented immediately”, he added. EOM