Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Punjab, demanding answers from the BJP-led Centre on gangsterism, drug trafficking, extortion and the safety of ordinary citizens. He said the Union Home Minister must explain what concrete action the Union Government and the Gujarat Government had taken against criminal networks linked to Lawrence Bishnoi, who is lodged in Sabarmati Jail, and why concerns over threatening calls and extortion continued to surface.
Addressing a press conference, senior AAP leader and Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Amit Shah travels across the country claiming to understand the problems faced by different states. Before coming to Punjab, he must answer the questions being raised by people across the country about gangsterism, drug trafficking, extortion and the safety of ordinary citizens. The BJP cannot evade responsibility on these serious issues.”
Raising the issue of Lawrence Bishnoi, the senior AAP leader said, “Serious cases involving murder, extortion and kidnapping have been registered against Lawrence Bishnoi in different parts of the country. Despite his being lodged in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Jail, reports of criminal activities and threatening phone calls in his name continue to emerge. This is a matter of grave concern.”
He asked, “Why have the Union Home Ministry and the Gujarat Government not provided clear answers about the alleged operation of criminal networks from inside prisons? Amit Shah must explain what concrete steps have been taken to dismantle these networks, prevent threatening calls and stop extortion. The public also deserves to know whose accountability has been fixed in such cases.”
Referring to reports of a firing incident targeting actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Concerns are growing over the security of prominent actors, businesspeople and ordinary citizens. Whenever criminal gangs are linked to serious incidents or threats, the government must ensure an impartial investigation and strict action against those responsible.”
He demanded that the incident be investigated fairly and that the facts be placed before the public, adding that protecting citizens must remain the government’s foremost responsibility.
Questioning the BJP’s law-and-order claims, Harpal Singh Cheema asserted, “Reports of gang wars, shootings, extortion and drug trafficking continue to emerge from states such as Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The BJP claims to ensure strong law and order across the country, but people want to know what is actually being done to dismantle criminal networks and protect young people from drugs.”
He added, “Crime cannot be prevented through political speeches alone. It requires accountability, effective investigations, coordination among law enforcement agencies and decisive action against criminals.”
Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Criminal gangs intimidate businesspeople, ordinary citizens and political opponents. In a democracy, every citizen and political party has the right to express themselves without fear. When people are silenced through threats or businesspeople are targeted for extortion, it is not merely a failure of law and order; it is an attack on the freedom of citizens.”
He stressed that governments must rise above political differences and act firmly against criminal intimidation and extortion, ensuring that no individual or organisation is allowed to operate above the law.
Highlighting the action being taken in Punjab, the Cabinet Minister said, “The government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann is fighting ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, and the Punjab Police is taking action against criminals and gangster networks. The Punjab Government does not consider anyone above the law in cases involving crime and drug trafficking.”
He called upon the Central Government to coordinate action against criminal networks operating across state borders and intensify efforts to combat drug trafficking. He said criminals must not be allowed to exploit gaps between states or find shelter anywhere in the country, particularly when the future of young people was at stake.
Reiterating his questions ahead of the Union Home Minister’s visit, Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Amit Shah must clearly explain what steps the Central Government and the Gujarat Government have taken to curb the criminal network linked to Lawrence Bishnoi. What mechanisms have been put in place to prevent threatening calls and extortion complaints originating from prisons? Whose accountability has been fixed? The public wants concrete answers and action, not empty assurances.”
Harpal Singh Cheema said people wanted and deserved security, the rule of law and an atmosphere free from fear. He called upon the BJP to accept its responsibility on gangsterism, drug trafficking and extortion instead of resorting to political rhetoric.
He concluded, “Strengthening democracy requires impartial action against criminals, ensuring the safety of citizens and holding those responsible accountable. No government should shy away from answering the questions raised by the public.”
