Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, the President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and Member of Parliament from Ludhiana, led a statewide protest organized by the Punjab Congress to raise a voice against the Aam Aadmi Party due to the worsening law and order situation in Punjab.
The PPCC Chief personally took part in a protest at Jandiala Guru, district Amritsar, where a large number of residents, outraged by the increasing tyranny of gangsters and criminals, gathered outside the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police to demand action.
The protest drew strong criticism toward the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, with protesters raising slogans condemning the government's failure to address the rampant rise in crime across the state. Speaking to those in attendance, Raja Warring expressed deep concern about the daily reports of violent crimes and collapse of law and order under the AAP government.
"Numerous incidents of law and order collapsing are reported daily across Punjab. The state is witnessing an alarming rise in crime, with 3 to 4 murders happening every week," Warring said. "In the month of August alone, Punjab recorded 20 murder incidents. Punjabis no longer feel safe, not even in their own homes."
The PPCC President also pointed to specific recent incidents to highlight the severity of the situation. "On September 3rd, three youth were killed in Ferozepur in a shooting that saw 50 rounds of bullets fired. This is not an isolated incident. In 2022, when the AAP government had just come to power, Punjab witnessed 73,626 crime incidents under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Among these, 670 murders were recorded, averaging to about two murders daily. Violent crimes numbered 6,230 that year, showing that the law and order situation has worsened tenfold," he emphasized.Warring criticized the ruling government for allowing gangsters and criminals to run amok, resulting in a climate of fear.
No one is safe in Punjab anymore, not even Aam Aadmi Party leaders," he remarked, referring to the recent killing of Tarlochan Singh, a leader of AAP’s Kisan wing, who was shot dead on September 10th. "This only proves that the government has lost control of the law and order situation."
He further cited the increasing harassment faced by business owners, many of whom are being targeted by gangsters demanding ransoms to avoid harm. "Businesses in Punjab are being ruined as gangsters continue to extort money from business owners.
Even notorious criminals like the Lawrence Bishnoi group remain active while in jail, with Bishnoi himself giving interviews from CBI custody," said Warring. "How can the people of Punjab feel safe when even the jails are not secure?" Warring highlighted the role of international criminal syndicates in Punjab's deteriorating situation.
Gangsters like Landa Harrike, operating from Canada, are causing a menace in Punjab, adding to the state’s lawlessness. Industries are now leaving Punjab and moving to Uttar Pradesh due to the problems caused by this escalating crime. Businesses no longer want to invest here, and the youth of Punjab, disillusioned with their future prospects, are either moving abroad or falling into the traps of drugs or gangs."
The PPCC Chief also highlighted how even high-profile personalities are not spared from the rising terror in Punjab. "It’s not just ordinary citizens; even famous figures like singer R Nait have been receiving ransom calls from gangsters, showing that no one is safe.
The brutal murder of Sidhu Moosewala in broad daylight under this Aam Aadmi Party government remains fresh in our minds, with the entire state still awaiting justice for him. If our most prominent figures aren’t safe, how can the common man feel secure?" Warring remarked, condemning the lawlessness gripping the state.
In a sharp rebuke of the current administration, Warring warned that Punjab was on the brink of becoming a state run by criminal cartels if the situation continued unchecked. "The rise in law and order cases is turning Punjab into a gangster's playground. Our youth are being drawn into this world of crime, and soon, our state will be completely dominated by these dangerous elements."
Warring concluded his address by calling for immediate action and accountability from the AAP government. "We cannot allow Punjab to fall into chaos. This government must take responsibility, strengthen law enforcement, and restore safety and security for the people of this state before it's too late."
The Punjab Congress protests, led by Raja Warring were held across the state, demanding urgent reforms in the law and order machinery, a crackdown on criminal gangs, and a secure environment for the residents of Punjab.