People in Punjab Living in Fear Amid Daylight Murders and Shootings: Kewal Singh Dhillon

Firing Incident in Moga Exposes the Reality Behind Bhagwant Mann Government’s Claims on Law and Order

Chandigarh: October 26-Bharatiya Janata Party Punjab President Kewal Singh Dhillon has expressed deep concern over the Repeatedly incidents of murders, shootings and other criminal activities in the state, criticising the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the deteriorating law-and-order situation. He said that incidents of daylight murders and shootings across Punjab have instilled fear among ordinary citizens. The firing incident in Moga, he added, exposes the reality behind the state government’s claims regarding law and order.

According to a statement issued from the party office in Chandigarh, Kewal Singh Dhillon said that 23 police stations in Punjab have witnessed grenade attacks, while serious incidents, including an attack on the police headquarters using a rocket launcher, have also taken place. The situation has reached a point where police officers are being compelled to issue written instructions to their personnel, advising them against venturing outside in uniform. Protective nets are being installed outside police stations, and their boundary walls are being heightened. These developments raise serious questions about the state’s security arrangements.

He further said that while Punjab is grappling with crime and lawlessness, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann remains occupied with foreign tours. Instead of prioritising the safety and security of the people of Punjab, the Chief Minister appears more concerned about his birthday. The reported issue of customs duty allegedly being imposed on his belongings upon his return from abroad has also become a subject of discussion.
Kewal Singh Dhillon demanded that the Punjab government take strict action against criminals, strengthen the police force and ensure the safety of citizens. He said that the law-and-order situation in Punjab has deteriorated to an alarming level. Instead of shirking its responsibilities, the government must take concrete and effective steps to restore public confidence and ensure security across the state.

===============================================

Sunil Jakhar challenges Punjab government to make drug survey report public

Alleges the survey aimed to develop a business model for taking control of the drug trade

- Links a series of cases to allege that the illicit trade is operating under the ruling party’s patronage
- Alleges that a drug inspector caught with crores of rupees was promoted, while the government facilitated the escape to Dubai of Harry, a criminal involved in drug trafficking and murder
- Urges the CBI to start investigation from the Drug Controller’s office rather than chemist shops
- Calls for an NIA investigation into the cases involving Harry and Karam Singh

Chandigarh, October 26:Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar challenged the Punjab government to make public the report of its statewide drug survey, alleging that the Aam Aadmi Party’s real objective was to study Punjab’s drug trade from a commercial perspective so that it could take control of the illicit business and maximise its earnings.

Presenting a series of interconnected allegations at a press conference here today, Jakhar claimed that the business strategy behind these developments came from Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia rather than Bhagwant Mann as only this duo was capable of hatching up such a sinister plan.

Jakhar said ₹250 crore had been spent and 28,000 employees deployed to conduct the survey. He stated that 65 lakh families had been subjected to humiliation during the exercise, yet its report was nowhere to be seen. “Where is the report ” ?” he asked.

He alleged that the survey was intended neither to benefit Punjab nor to address its problems, but to tarnish the state’s image and systematically understand the workings of the drug trade so that its entire supply chain— from 'procurement to distribution’, from drugs entering Punjab to their eventual sale—could be taken over.

Jakhar said that had the Chief Minister visited villages, as he claimed he would, there would have been no need for a survey because residents themselves would have explained the situation. Instead, he alleged, the exercise had been used to develop a business model.

Connecting the cases, Jakhar referred to the DGP’s statement that pharmaceutical drugs now accounted for 80 per cent of substance abuse. He alleged that the government had accordingly drawn up a plan to take control of the entire pharmaceutical drug supply chain. He further alleged that a drug inspector caught with substantial sums linked to corruption had been brought into the government’s fold, reinstated and appointed Drug Controller, bringing the business under its control.

Referring to another case, Jakhar said Nathana police station had seized four kilograms of heroin in 2023. During the investigation, he said, Harry—who was lodged in Ferozepur jail—had emerged as the principal accused. According to Jakhar, Harry had been sentenced to 20 years in a widely reported Abohar murder case and faced seven other cases.

Jakhar alleged that the government had facilitated Harry’s parole in 2024 through the Fazilka Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, after which he absconded and reached Dubai. He claimed that Harry was now running drug trafficking and extortion operations stretching from Abohar to Ludhiana, while the police had closed his file.

Describing a third link in the chain, Jakhar referred to constable Karam Singh, associated with the “Baaz” anti-drone system. He said 25 kilograms of heroin had been recovered from him and that he had admitted to arranging another 24 consignments. Jakhar questioned whether the constable had acted alone or whether senior officers were also involved.

He also cited details of drug seizures by the Narcotics Bureau from sarpanches and leaders allegedly associated with AAP in the border region. He claimed that these links showed that people connected to the party controlled the procurement, transportation and sale of drugs in Punjab.

Jakhar said the cases pointed towards a larger network operating through a developing business model. He remarked that only gangsters and criminals were safe in Punjab today. Referring to the cases mentioned above, he said individuals lodged in prisons had continued to organise drug and weapons operations. He added that the same drone routes used to bring in drugs were also being used to supply weapons that were claiming the lives of Punjab’s youth.

Jakhar said it was shocking that the Chief Minister had not considered it appropriate to visit Mansa even once to share the grief of Parvinder Singh’s family. He also questioned the Health Minister’s silence despite the numerous questions raised about pharmaceutical drug abuse and the drug inspector’s alleged role.

He therefore urged the CBI to extend the scope of its investigation into the Parvinder “Jhota” case in Mansa to the Drug Controller’s office in Chandigarh. He said the investigation should first examine those directing the network, rather than beginning with medical shops, and then follow the connections wherever they led. This, he said, would enable the CBI to reach those responsible for turning the drug trade into a business model.

Jakhar further said he would write to the Union Home Minister seeking a CBI investigation into the cases involving constable Karam Singh and Harry, whose escape to Dubai he alleged had been facilitated by the government. He added that these cases involved international trafficking in drugs and weapons and that the NIA possessed the capability to investigate them impartially and effectively.

Jakhar said the Bhagwant Mann government had lost public trust and alleged that an investigation into the Guri Chahal matter had not begun despite High Court orders. He expressed confidence that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would expose the organised drug network operating in Punjab.

Translator’s note: The original text mentions both the CBI and the NIA in the paragraph concerning Harry and Karam Singh. Both references have been retained.

=============================================

Modi Government Has Taken Historic Initiatives for Punjab’s Scheduled Caste Community: Vijay Sampla

Jalandhar, October 26
Former Punjab BJP President and former Union Minister Vijay Sampla said that the Union Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has taken several significant steps for the welfare of Punjab’s Scheduled Caste communities, covering education, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship, rural development and healthcare assistance. He was speaking informally after paying floral tributes to Bhagwan Valmiki on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti.

Grants for Welfare Schemes
Vijay Sampla stated that ₹173.69 crore was released to Punjab under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana between 2022-23 and 2025-26, including ₹90.94 crore in 2025-26. An additional ₹17.80 crore has been released so far in 2026-27. Under the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana, 3,763 villages were identified, with more than five lakh Scheduled Caste residents living in these villages. As of October 2026, 327 villages had been developed as Adarsh Grams. The scheme was also expanded to cover 1,500 additional SC-majority villages across 11 states.

Schemes for Students
He said that 3.69 lakh students benefited from the post-matric scholarship scheme and 5.07 lakh students from the pre-matric scholarship scheme between 2020 and 2023. In 2024-25, ₹322.44 crore was released for 205,605 students under the post-matric scholarship scheme. In 2025-26, ₹333.37 crore was released for 163,066 students under the same scheme. Under the pre-matric scholarship scheme, ₹26.47 crore was provided for 125,119 students in 2025-26.
Under SHRESHTA, 108 students secured admission to residential schools. Meanwhile, ₹1.04 crore was sanctioned for 100 beneficiaries at the Central University of Punjab under the Dr. Ambedkar Centre of Excellence initiative.

Sampla further stated that ₹19.40 crore was sanctioned and ₹19.25 crore disbursed to five companies owned by SC entrepreneurs under the Venture Capital Fund. Through NSFDC, 21,756 individuals benefited, while ₹24.31 crore was provided to 1,553 beneficiaries in 2025-26. Under Stand-Up India, ₹76.41 crore was sanctioned for 388 SC accounts. Assistance for training, interest relief and medical treatment was also provided through the PM-DAKSH, Vishwas and Dr. Ambedkar Medical Aid schemes.

Programmes for Sewer Workers
Speaking about the Valmiki community, Sampla said that ₹6.40 crore in central assistance was provided for Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal in Amritsar. Under the Swachhta Udyami Yojana, ₹7.92 crore supported 22 pay-and-use toilet facilities and 22 sanitation vehicles.
Under the NAMASTE scheme, 4,465 sewer and septic tank workers and 3,765 waste pickers were registered in Punjab. Of the identified manual scavengers, 231 received cash assistance, 62 received training and 46 received capital subsidies.
In 2025-26, compensation of ₹37 lakh each was facilitated in three cases involving sewer-related deaths. Between 2022 and 2024, 494 sanitation workers in Punjab were certified and 256 secured employment. From 2020 to 2024, 8,892 individuals received training under the PM-DAKSH scheme.

Airport Named After Maharishi Valmiki
Sampla said that the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act extended the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes until January 25, 2030. He said the Modi government had connected the SC community with dignity and opportunities. Naming the airport in Ayodhya after Maharishi Valmiki was an example of this recognition and respect. He added that he had served as a Union Minister of State from 2014 to 2019 and as Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes from 2021 to 2023. Som Parkash had served as a Union Minister of State from 2019 to 2024.