Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann targeted the central government by releasing a video message before Amit Shah's visit. He sought answers on drug consignments seized from Kandla port, gangsterism and deaths of farmers during the farmers' movement.
Chandigarh: Before the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann issued a video message and cornered the BJP and the Central Government. He raised questions on the action being taken to stop smuggling despite huge consignments of narcotics being seized from Kandla port in Gujarat. Mann also raised the issue of drug trade, gangsterism and deaths of farmers during the farmers' movement in Punjab.
Answer sought from Center on drug consignments from Kandla port
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the BJP, which talks about making Punjab drug-free, should first respond to its efforts to stop drug trafficking. Referring to the seizure of three thousand kilograms of narcotics consignment from Kandla port in Gujarat, he raised questions on the action of the Central Government.
Mann also raised the issue of drug problem in Rajasthan and gangsterism in Haryana. He said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah can come to Punjab whenever he wants, but instead of making political statements in the name of saving the state, concrete answers should be given to these problems.
Referring to the tenure of the coalition government of Akali Dal and BJP in Punjab between 2007 and 2017, the Chief Minister alleged that during that time the drug trade increased and adequate action was not taken against big smugglers. He also questioned why effective steps were not taken to stop drug trafficking after the BJP government was formed at the Center in 2014.
Raised the issue of farmers' deaths in the farmers' movement
Bhagwant Mann also questioned the Central Government regarding the deaths of farmers on the borders of Delhi during the farmers' movement. He said that more than 700 farmers had died during the movement. The Chief Minister asked why the Central Government did not take the initiative to meet the families of the deceased farmers and express condolences to them.
According to Mann, the Punjab government gave compensation of Rs 5 lakh each and government jobs to the families of the deceased farmers. He said that the suffering of farmers' families should not be ignored.
Referring to Punjab's 532 km long border with Pakistan, the Chief Minister also raised the issue of anti-drone system. He claimed that this demand was raised in meetings with the Union Home Minister and the Punjab government deployed its anti-drone system in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF).
Questions on gangsterism and rights of Punjab also
The Chief Minister also targeted BJP on gangsterism and law and order issues. Referring to the shooting of a film actor in Mumbai, he sought answers on the law and order situation in Rajasthan and Haryana. He also raised the issue of gangsters lodged in jails.
Apart from this, Mann questioned the role of the Center on issues related to Chandigarh, Punjab's water and state's stake in Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). He alleged that BJP's priorities appear different in matters related to the rights of Punjab, while during elections there is talk of saving the state.
Mann also mentioned the issue of getting the Parminder Singh Jhota murder case investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He said that the Punjab government is not against the investigation. The Chief Minister appealed to Amit Shah to meet the victims' families and listen to their problems instead of making political statements.