Expressing serious concern over the cold-blooded murder of a female orchestra dancer in a firing at a wedding in Bathinda, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh on Monday urged the Election Commission (EC) immediately crack down on the proliferation of arms in the state ahead of the assembly elections.
In a letter to the EC, Amarinder said the incident had once again highlighted the total collapse of law and order in the state, which was under the control of “armed gangs patronised by the Badals.”
Pointing out that no action whatsoever had been taken against the 52 armed gangs which the DGP himself had admitted to being active in the state, Amarinder said the brazen lawlessness prevailing in the state was continuously getting exacerbated as the assembly elections were drawing closer.
Amarinder, in his letter to EC, observed that notwithstanding the fact that the polls were just about two months away, the state authorities had not initiated any drive yet to get people to deposit their arms with police, which is usually a practice ahead of any elections.
“Criminals, including Akali leaders and workers, were moving freely around the state with all kinds of arms, which were being used to unleash a reign of terror against the common people,” alleged Captain.
{{/usCountry}}“Criminals, including Akali leaders and workers, were moving freely around the state with all kinds of arms, which were being used to unleash a reign of terror against the common people,” alleged Captain.
{{/usCountry}}Can’t act before imposition of poll code: EC
The EC said it could not intervene directly as model code of conduct has not been put in place yet. “Our role comes after the poll code is imposed. Right now, the state police is responsible for dealing with such incidents,” announced Punjab chief electoral officer VK Singh.