Shutdown in Mansa over firing incident

A complete shutdown was observed in Mansa on Tuesday as traders and residents took to the streets to protest against the firing on the shop of RTI activist Manik Goyal's relative on Monday evening. The firing incident has triggered a widespread outrage over the law and order in the district.

A sit-in was held near Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, where various speakers criticised the Mansa police for failing to control the rise in gangster activities, drug trade and thefts in the city.

The protest was addressed by Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Balkaur Singh (father of Sidhu Moosewala), former MLAs Hardev Singh Arshi and Mangat Rai Bansal, Bikaramjeet Mofar and others.

Speaking to mediapersons, Warring hit out at the state government, alleging that the worsening law and order in Punjab had created fear among citizens.

He claimed that thousands of people across the state had been quietly paying ransom to criminals and gangsters, as they had no confidence in the police that they could protect them. He mentioned the killing of an Abohar garment trader who was killed despite having already paid ransom money to several people.

Warring noted that criminals and gangsters had felt encouraged since the mastermind behind Moosewala murder was being provided protection. He pointed out that the Gujarat Government has passed orders that he couldn't even be taken on production warrant.

Warning against the growing influence of criminals and gangsters, he said the Shiromani Akali Dal had fielded a relative of a gangster in the Tarn Taran byelection.

During the protest, a 21-member struggle committee was formed to intensify the agitation regarding rising gangsterism, thefts and deteriorating law and order in Mansa. The committee resolved that unless the accused involved in the October 28 firing incident — including the two shooters and their conspirators—were arrested, the residents of Mansa would continue their struggle against the Punjab Government. It also sought adequate security for the RTI activist and his family.

The committee members announced that if their demands were not met, the struggle would be further escalated. An effigy of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home Affairs portfolio, will be burned at Barah Hattan Chowk, Mansa, it said.

On Monday, November 3, residents of Mansa will lay siege to the office of the Mansa SSP. Even the Mansa Bar Association also suspended all court work in support of shutdown call.