Spotlight
oi-Ashish Rana
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said his government had stepped up its fight against gangsters, drugs and organised crime. He accused the opposition of using incidents in the state for political gains instead of offering solutions.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann reported his government’s intensified crackdown on gangsters and drugs, returning 10 gangsters from abroad and stopping nearly 80% of Pakistan-origin drug supplies, while urging the BJP to address drug routes via Gujarat’s Mundra Port.
Speaking at a press conference, Mann said 10 gangsters had been brought back to Punjab from foreign countries since January. He also claimed that nearly 80% of the drugs entering Punjab from Pakistan had been stopped after the government intensified its crackdown.
Mann Targets BJP Over Drug Supply
Mann said the government would now focus on drug supplies coming into Punjab through Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. He directly targeted the BJP over the issue and said action was needed at Mundra Port in Gujarat.
“BJP should take care of its Mundra Port in Gujarat; drug menace in Punjab will be almost eliminated,” Mann said.
He alleged that large quantities of drugs had been recovered from Mundra Port and questioned the Centre’s action against those involved.
“The entire nation knows that around 3,000 kg of drugs were seized at Mundra Port in Gujarat, but no meaningful action has been taken against those responsible,” the chief minister said.
Mann also said that controlling smuggling across the international border was mainly the Centre’s responsibility. However, he claimed that the Punjab government had spent its own funds on anti-drone systems to prevent drugs from being brought across the border.
Punjab Government Lists Gangster Crackdown
The chief minister said the state government had taken several steps against organised crime since 2022 through the Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF).
According to Mann, the AGTF has arrested 1.24 lakh gangsters and their sympathisers since 2022. He said police have also recovered 1,170 weapons, 15 hand grenades, 858.26 kg of heroin, 480.26 kg of opium, 3,056.85 grams of gold and Rs 1.28 crore in cash.
Mann further said 18 gangsters had been deported from other countries by Punjab Police.
He accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of failing to tackle gangsterism as a national problem. Referring to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Mann alleged that he had been given shelter in a Gujarat jail and was not being allowed to be brought back to Punjab.
Mann Attacks Congress And Akali Dal
Mann also criticised the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal over their comments on law and order. He alleged that both parties had allowed gangster culture to grow during their periods in power.
“The people of Punjab have not forgotten the black days when gangsters enjoyed political patronage and criminals were allowed to operate with impunity,” Mann said.
He also accused the opposition of practising what he called “vulture politics” by focusing on unfortunate incidents to remain in the news.
“When you have no issue, you start feeding on every unfortunate incident. This is not politics of public service, this is vulture politics. Punjab deserves better than this cheap politics,” he said.
The chief minister urged the Congress, Akali Dal and BJP to stop what he described as “dirty politics” and present their vision for Punjab to the public.
CM Says Punjab’s Reputation Must Be Protected
Mann said Punjab should not be portrayed only through isolated incidents and argued that the state had made major contributions to the country.
He said his government would continue targeting drug networks, gangster syndicates and their financial channels.
“Our fight is not limited to making arrests. We are identifying networks, intercepting consignments, choking financial channels and bringing the perpetrators to justice,” Mann said.
He added that the government would continue working to make Punjab safer and protect its youth.
Mann also raised issues including river waters, the state capital, the syllabus of Panjab University, farm laws and the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He said Punjab deserved a special package.
“Punjab is special and it deserves a special package by all means,” he said.
The chief minister said the government would not be distracted by political criticism and would continue its campaign against drugs and organised crime.
“People want solutions, not manufactured controversies,” Mann said, adding that the government would work to protect Punjab’s peace, security, youth and reputation.
