'No one safe in Punjab, state slipping into anarchy': Sukhbir Singh Badal

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that “no one was safe in Punjab” and that law and order had collapsed in Punjab with even “police force being attacked” under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rule. He appealed to the people to vote for the SAD in the municipal elections to bring the state back on track.

Addressing a public meeting here, the SAD president said, “Today, an Assistant Sub Inspector was shot and killed while proceeding on duty at Majitha. If criminal elements have been emboldened so much that even police personnel are not safe, then what will happen to the common man?”

Taking a dig on the state government for their failure to tackle the drug menace, Badal said that the issue had made life ‘hell’ for the people with snatching and robberies increasing manifold. “There seemed to be a complete breakdown in constitutional machinery with the state slipping into anarchy.

“Gang warfare, which is witnessed every day in Punjab, is now also being seen in high security jails with the Modern Jail at Kapurthala being wreaked by a violent clash between rival inmates resulting in vandalism and even fires last night,” he said. “Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was directly responsible for this situation and does not have any moral right to continue in office. Punjab is paying a heavy price for this lawlessness with the trade and industry fleeing the state,” he went on to allege.

Later, answering a media query, he said that AAP had come to power riding the plank of the anti-corruption movement and the institution of an independent Lokpal had been the cornerstone of its policy. “However, it failed to establish a strong Lokpal in Punjab and now we have a situation in which the post is lying vacant.”

Answering another query related to AAP leaders openly announcing to rig the MC elections, he demanded strict action against them. “All corrupt leaders and ministers are being probed by Central agencies and would land in jail soon.”

Earlier while addressing the people, days ahead of the Municipal polls, Badal said: “Punjab has been taken back by decades by both the Congress and the AAP governments and the municipal elections are an opportunity to reject these Delhi-based parties and repose faith in your regional party.”