Chandigarh: Congress criticised the state govt following the shooting in Tarn Taran, in which AAP sarpanch Harpreet Singh was killed and his cousin was seriously injured.Former deputy chief minister of Punjab and MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa questioned who would take responsibility for the incident, asking whether it would be the Chief Minister, the Director General of Police, or someone else. He said Punjab needs firm and capable leadership to restore public confidence.
He alleged that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann failed to maintain law and order in the state and urged him to resign and seek a fresh mandate through mid-term elections. Randhawa claimed that continued violence and the drug problem are taking a toll on lives in Punjab.He also criticised the state police leadership, alleging that senior officials addressed political gatherings while incidents of violence continued. Referring to Operation Prahar, Randhawa said the anti-gangster drive must show visible results on the ground rather than remaining limited to announcements.Former education minister and MLA Pargat Singh said repeated incidents of firing and targeted killings created fear among the public. He questioned how such attacks continued to take place and asked where the law and order machinery stood at a time when people did not feel safe even at social functions and celebrations.He further pointed out that despite claims of 2,000 police teams comprising 12,000 personnel being deployed to act against gangsters, incidents of violence continued. He cited a recent incident in Sangrur, where a young man was shot dead inside his home, questioning the effectiveness of policing measures.Pargat said the chief minister, who also held the Home portfolio, must take concrete steps to restore public confidence. He urged the govt to move beyond slogans and ensure effective measures to guarantee the safety of the people.
