People paying the price for AAP leaders' VIP culture; majority of police personnel deployed for VIP security, says Sarup Singla BJP District President
By Amrit Pal Sidhu #Babushahi Network
Bathinda: 31 July
The alleged deterioration of the law and order situation in Punjab, coupled with an acute shortage of police personnel in police stations across the state, has triggered fresh political criticism. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bathinda District President Sarup Chand Singla launched a sharp attack on the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of administrative failure and misplaced priorities.
Addressing the issue, Singla said the gravity of Punjab's security situation can be gauged from the fact that even the ruling party's Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal had publicly appealed to withdraw his own security cover. According to Singla, Seechewal himself acknowledged that police stations in his region are functioning with inadequate manpower.
He said that when Members of Parliament belonging to the ruling party themselves raise concerns over policing and security arrangements in their constituencies, it reflects the government's inability to effectively manage law and order.
Singla further alleged that while crime continues to rise across Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann government remains more focused on pleasing its political leadership in Delhi than addressing the state's security concerns. He claimed that a substantial strength of the Punjab Police has been deployed in Delhi, leaving police stations within the state understaffed.
The BJP leader also accused the AAP government of promoting a VIP culture despite its claims of being a government for the common people. He alleged that extensive police security has been provided not only to ministers and MLAs but also to their family members, resulting in a severe shortage of personnel for policing duties, patrols, and public safety.
Referring to the situation in Bathinda district, Singla said incidents of theft, snatching and robbery are being reported regularly. He claimed that the police administrations beat policing system and PCR teams have become ineffective on the ground due to inadequate manpower.
He further stated that the city's business community is living under constant fear because of the increasing number of criminal incidents. According to him, criminals have become so emboldened that they are committing offences in broad daylight and escaping without fear of consequences.
Demanding immediate action, Singla urged the Punjab Government to fill all vacant police posts in police stations without delay. He also called for the withdrawal of additional police personnel assigned to VIP security and their redeployment for maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of the general public. He further demanded that the police force be provided with adequate operational support and powers to effectively tackle crime.
Warning of serious consequences if corrective measures are not taken, Singla said that unless the Mann government adopts concrete and effective steps to strengthen law and order at the earliest, the entire state could face grave repercussions.