Condemning the murder of ASI Ravinderpal Singh, union minister for law and justice Ashwani Kumar said that after this incident there should be no doubt left in anyone's mind that the law and order scenario in Punjab was very grim and the state government had failed on this front.
"When the law enforcers themselves are not safe here, who else can be? This clearly implies that there definitely is something wrong with the law and order situation, and it is bad," said Kumar during his first visit to his home state on Sunday after becoming the law minister.
Addressing the media, he said that one of the main responsibilities of any state government was to ensure the safety of public. However, in Punjab, the government, far from ensuring the safety of the public, has failed to protect even a cop in uniform, said Kumar.
Asked whether he would take up the law and order issue with the central government, the minister said, "Law and order is a state subject, so the Centre cannot intervene directly. However, the state Congress will play the role of a responsible opposition and highlight this problem."
The minister made it clear that the Congress in Punjab was not satisfied with the law and order situation in the state. The party will show the mirror to the SAD-BJP government on the deteriorating law and order situation, he said.
In an appeal to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, the law minister said, "It is your 'raj dharam' to ensure that the family of the brave ASI gets quick and credible justice."
The minister made it clear that the Congress in Punjab was not satisfied with the law and order situation in the state. The party will show the mirror to the SAD-BJP government on the deteriorating law and order situation, he said.
In an appeal to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, the law minister said, "It is your 'raj dharam' to ensure that the family of the brave ASI gets quick and credible justice."
He also advised the CM to adopt strict measures against those attempting to take the law in their hands. If such elements are not checked, there will be nothing but anarchy in the state, he said.
Observing that the ASI had lost his life while protecting his daughter from Akali goons, Kumar said penal laws already existed for keeping a check on eve-teasing and punishing the offenders. It is for the state government to ensure that such laws are strictly and properly enforced, he said.
"It is one of the paramount duties of any government to ensure the safety of our sisters and daughters", he added.
Earlier, the law minister visited the Golden Temple and paid homage to martyrs at Jallianwala Bagh.