Union Minister Slams Punjab Govt Over Rising Gang Violence, Urges People to Protect Themselves
Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing, S. Ravneet Singh Bittu, launched a strong attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab today, accusing it of a complete failure in maintaining law and order. In a strongly worded statement, Bittu appealed to the people of Punjab to come together and defend themselves, stating that the Bhagwant Mann-led administration can no longer be relied upon for public safety.
Bittu expressed outrage over the broad daylight murder of renowned businessman Sanjay Verma in Abohar, calling it yet another alarming sign of the lawlessness gripping Punjab. “Gangsters are operating as if they are running a parallel government. They are making extortion calls, issuing death threats, and carrying out cold-blooded murders without fear. The people of Punjab no longer feel safe,” he said.
He also cited the recent targeted killing of eminent doctor Dr. Aniljeet Kamboj in Moga, saying such incidents have become a disturbing daily occurrence. “While blood is being spilled on the streets of Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is busy celebrating in Ludhiana alongside Arvind Kejriwal. At their so-called ‘victory rally,’ they had no mention of the innocent lives being lost to unchecked violence,” Bittu added.
The Union Minister raised serious concerns about the spread of gang activity across all districts, including sensitive border areas like Tarn Taran, where a young boy was recently shot dead inside a Gurudwara. “From big cities to small towns, gang wars are unfolding at an alarming rate. Small traders like barbers, tailors, and shopkeepers are being extorted. If they pay one gang, another shows up. It’s total lawlessness,” he said.
Bittu also criticized the Punjab Police for downplaying the crisis, accusing them of blaming every crime on a few known names like Landa Harike or the Bishnoi gang, while failing to acknowledge the growing web of armed criminals across rural areas. “This is no longer an isolated problem—it’s an underground network of terror. The situation is spiraling out of control, even worse than what we hear in places like Mexico or Colombia,” he warned.
He alleged a nexus between AAP leaders and criminal gangs, particularly in extortion rackets, and accused them of being complicit in drug trafficking and illegal land encroachments—all of which, he said, are contributing to the state’s declining security environment.
Issuing a clarion call to the people of Punjab, Bittu invoked the spirit of “Thikri Pehras”—community night patrols that were common during Punjab’s insurgency period. “The time has come for Punjabis to rise and protect themselves. This government has completely failed in its duty. If the people don’t unite now, the violence will only continue to escalate,” he urged. Bittu concluded by calling for a grassroots movement to combat gangsterism, restore public safety, and hold the current government accountable for its inaction.