Chandigarh. Former Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu was taken into custody by the Punjab Police on Tuesday when he had come to Mansa Civil Hospital to inquire about the well being of the people injured in the Parvinder Jhota murder case. Expressing deep grief and concern over the shooting death of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, Bittu described the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government as failing to ensure the safety of the common people.
Raising questions on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state and the alleged open drug trade, he said that despite receiving continuous complaints and warnings about the increasing drug menace, effective action was not taken. Bittu said that Parvinder Singh Jhota had openly raised his voice against drug smuggling and had allegedly opened a front against drug smugglers. He questioned why despite receiving constant threats, he was not given adequate security and why effective action was not taken against those allegedly involved in the drug trade.
The former Union Minister also expressed surprise that only one drug inspector is reportedly deployed for three districts. He questioned how the government would effectively deal with the drug problem when there were not enough enforcement personnel.
He sought answers from the state government and also raised questions on the accountability of the health department and the health minister. Bittu said, “If complaints of open sale of drugs were being raised continuously, then why did the administration fail to take effective action? When people were openly drawing attention to this problem, where was the administrative machinery? The government should explain why those speaking out against drug trafficking were not given adequate security.”
He also questioned the police’s initial assumption that the incident was allegedly the result of personal rivalry. Bittu said, “How can the police come to the conclusion of any personal rivalry before a fair and comprehensive investigation is completed? Every aspect of this case should be investigated, including whether the incident is related to the drug trade. The investigation should be impartial, evidence-based and free from any political pressure.”