Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Finance 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 accountability over gangsterism, drug trafficking, extortion and public safety across the country.
Addressing a press conference, Cheema said Shah, who visits different states and claims to understand their problems, should first answer questions about the rising concerns over crime and law and order before commenting on Punjab’s situation. He alleged that the BJP must take responsibility for addressing these issues instead of avoiding questions about criminal networks and public security.
Raising the issue of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Cheema said several cases related to serious offences, including murder, extortion and kidnapping, had been registered against him in different parts of the country. He expressed concern over allegations of criminal networks operating despite Bishnoi being lodged in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail.
Cheema questioned the effectiveness of the prison security system and asked why the Union Home Ministry and the concerned state governments were not being held accountable if criminal activities were allegedly being carried out from inside prisons.
He demanded that Shah clarify what concrete measures had been taken to dismantle such networks and prevent threats and extortion calls allegedly linked to jailed gangsters.
Cheema Raises Tiger Shroff Firing Incident
The Punjab minister also referred to reports of firing targeting Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai, saying such incidents had raised concerns about the safety of celebrities, businesspeople and ordinary citizens.
He said whenever criminal gangs were suspected of being involved in serious incidents or threats, the authorities must ensure an impartial investigation and take strict action against those found guilty.
Cheema demanded a fair probe into the incident and called for the facts to be made public, stressing that public safety should not become a subject of political point-scoring.
Questions Law and Order in BJP-Ruled States
Targeting the BJP over law and order in its ruled states, Cheema referred to reports of gang violence, shootings, extortion and drug trafficking in Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
He questioned the BJP’s claims of ensuring strong law and order across the country, asking what effective steps were being taken to break criminal networks and protect young people from drug abuse and trafficking.
According to Cheema, political speeches alone could not prevent crime. He said accountability, effective investigations and strict action against offenders were essential to restoring public confidence in law enforcement.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader further said gangsterism posed a serious threat to democratic freedoms, alleging that criminal gangs were using threats to intimidate traders, ordinary citizens and political opponents.
He maintained that every citizen and political party must have the freedom to express their views without fear. Attempts to extort money from businesspeople or intimidate individuals, he said, represented not only a law-and-order challenge but also an attack on citizens’ freedom and security.
Highlights Punjab Government’s Anti-Drug Drive
Cheema said the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was conducting a campaign against drugs, while the Punjab Police was taking action against criminals and gangster networks.
He asserted that nobody involved in crime or drug trafficking would be considered above the law in Punjab. He also urged the Centre and state governments to work together to dismantle criminal networks operating across state borders and prevent criminals from finding safe havens.
The minister said coordinated action was necessary to curb drug trafficking and protect the future of young people.
Seeks Answers on Lawrence Bishnoi’s Alleged Network
Reiterating his demands ahead of Shah’s Punjab visit, Cheema asked the Union Home Minister to explain what steps the Centre and the Gujarat government had taken to curb the alleged criminal network associated with Bishnoi, who is lodged in Sabarmati Jail.
He also questioned what effective mechanisms were in place to prevent alleged threat and extortion calls from prisons and who had been held accountable in such cases.
Cheema said people wanted concrete answers and visible action rather than assurances.
Concluding his remarks, the Punjab Finance Minister said citizens across the country wanted security, the rule of law and a fear-free environment. He urged the BJP to move beyond political rhetoric on gangsterism and drug trafficking, take responsibility and deliver tangible results.
He added that impartial investigations, strict action against criminals and accountability to the public were essential to ensuring citizens’ safety and strengthening democracy.
