Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
SAD accuses AAP for shielding gangsters, says Punjab’s law and order in free fall
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, November 19, 2025: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, alleging that the ruling leadership is patronizing gangsters, leading to a complete breakdown of law and order in Punjab. The party demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann from the post of Home Minister for “failing to curb violence.”
Addressing the media, senior SAD leader Parmbans Singh Romana said four major firing incidents had taken place in the last 48 hours across Punjab, resulting in four deaths and nearly a dozen injuries.
He cited a killing at the Amritsar bus stand, the murder of a parolee in Chheharta, another fatal shooting in the same town, and a firing incident at Banga bus stand that left one dead and four injured.
Romana said Punjabis still remember the high-profile murders of singer Sidhu Moosewala, prominent kabaddi players, and traders in Abohar and Bathinda, all of which occurred during the AAP government’s nearly four-year tenure.
He further alleged that the AAP government facilitated a televised interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while he was in Punjab Police custody — a fact exposed during a High Court-ordered SIT probe.
He added that the escape of gangster Deepak Tinu from Mansa Police custody and the access given to gangsters’ associates in custody reflected the state’s “complete administrative collapse.”
Romana claimed that gangsters were being provided facilities such as mobile phones and internet inside jails, turning prisons into “safe havens for organised crime.”
He also alleged that the links of at least four AAP MLAs from the Doaba region with gangsters and extortion activities were now widely known.
Accusing the AAP government of levelling false allegations against opposition leaders to divert attention from its failures, Romana said the ruling party grossly misused government machinery during the Tarn Taran bypoll.
He pointed out that, for the first time since Independence, an SSP was suspended by the Election Commission of India for misconduct during the election, while several officers were transferred for misusing police powers.
He warned that the deteriorating law and order situation was driving industries out of Punjab, causing job losses and inflicting severe economic damage. Romana demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann step down as Home Minister for his “utter failure” to maintain peace.
“If he does not resign, the people of Punjab are ready to show him the door when his remaining one year in office ends,” he said.