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Need to check lawlessness in Punjab

I read the editorial, “Let not goondas rule: Ludhiana Akali attackers must be punished” (June 22). In a democracy, the primary job of the state government is to maintain law and order and ensure the safety and security of its citizens, besides providing basic necessities of life. But what had happened in Ludhiana — the attack on the Tehsildar, that too, by the activists of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal — was horrendous.

Justice will triumph only if the culprit is tried in accordance with the law and meted out exemplary punishment. The problem with our criminal justice system is that though such people deserve stringent punishment, cases are normally hushed up by the powers that be. Needless to say, the state government should take all possible measures to check the increasing lawlessness in Punjab.

S.K. KHOSLA, Chandigarh

II

One report says that there is the lack of political will to book all the culprits involved in the attack. Stern action against all those involved, however high they may be, brooks no delay.

The disturbing trend of young political activists taking the law into their hands to settle political or personal scores needs to be curbed. In principle, political parties should stem the rot by weeding out such malcontents from their respective organisations.

Dr TEJINDER SHARMA, Detroit, Michigan (USA)

III

The editorial reinforces that goonadaism has increased in politics in recent times. People are also insensitive to the core. When the injured revenue official was being taken to a hospital, his vehicle was pelted with stones. This is the height of insensitivity!

There is no denying of the fact that criminalisation of politics is increasing in the country day by day. Even ordinary political workers are taking the law into their hands over trivial issues. It is time the Punjab government tightened its belt and checked the increasing crime rate in the state.

R.K. KAPOOR, Chandigarh

IV

The editorial rightly stated that the Punjab administration in general and the police in particular are heavily politicised. The goondas have threatened the revenue officer but the administration has taken it lightly and looked the other way. This inaction has encouraged the assailants.

There is a general impression that criminals are interfering in the functioning of the administration. The lackadaisical attitude of the government has allowed bad elements to grow and hold the state to ransom.

SAHIL GARG, Chandigarh

V

The Tehsildar in question is an honest and upright officer. Having learnt that he also served at Dhuri, I recollect that he is the same officer who dealt with our land mutation case without any consideration.

Ours was a genuine but cumbersome family land partition and mutation case. Any other officer would have done it but for a consideration. This man got our work done without demanding a single penny. We need such officers of honesty and unimpeachable integrity.

RANJIT SINGH JAWANDHA, Bhasaur (Sangrur)

VI

The manhandling of a government officer in Ludhiana was shocking. Equally shocking is the fact that the incident involved the leaders and workers of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal. This party has always projected itself as one protecting the interests of the Sikhs.

It is most unfortunate that an honest official had to face this kind of treatment. If the perpetrators of this horrendous crime go scot free, it will put a big question mark on the present government’s style of functioning.

AMANVIR SINGH TIWANA, Patiala

Power supply: tall claims The news-item “Delayed rains to blame” (June 22) proves that politicians make pre-poll promises without analysing the power situation in its correct prospective. It also shows our deficient and lopsided planning process. The PSEB mandarins have shut their eyes to ground realities. No one can take the nature for granted. The vagaries of weather are always unpredictable. Good or bad monsoon, the government should not shy away from planning. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal’s promise during the Lok Sabha elections that within two and a half years they would make Punjab a power-surplus state was nothing but rhetoric. Power generation cannot be improved in days or months. Such projects fructify only after years of hard work. The people of Punjab should read the writing on the wall. They should not be swayed away by unrealistic and tall claims of the politicians. AJAY KUMAR JINDAL, Advocate, Ludhiana