Punjab Government Rejects Blame for Law and Order Issues, Emphasizes Peaceful Handling of Farmers’ Protest

Punjab Government Rejects Blame for Law and Order Issues, Emphasizes Peaceful Handling of Farmers’ Protest

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has strongly refuted allegations of deteriorating law and order in the state. They maintain that the situation arising from the ongoing farmers’ protest is being managed effectively.

In a letter addressed to the Union Home Secretary, Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma clarified that claims of large crowds gathering at the Shambhu-Dhabi border with the state’s permission are entirely false. He highlighted that these gatherings stem from the Haryana police forcibly stopping farmers marching towards Delhi, essentially trapping them on the border.

Verma further emphasized that the farmers’ movement within Punjab has remained largely peaceful, with no reports of violence. He contrasted this with the reported use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and excessive force by the Haryana police on protesting farmers, leading to over 160 injuries.

Despite these challenges, the Punjab government has ensured smooth management of the situation. Regular dialogues are held between officials and farmer leaders to prevent excessive crowding at the border. Additionally, the police remain vigilant to prevent infiltration by troublemakers disguised as protestors.

Verma stressed that the core issue lies in addressing the demands raised by the farmers’ unions, which ultimately falls under the purview of the Central government. He acknowledged the efforts made by the Union government in holding four meetings with farmer representatives, which the Punjab Chief Minister personally attended on three occasions. High-level officials were also deputed to represent the state in his absence.

The Chief Secretary urged the Union government to address the farmers’ concerns with empathy to facilitate an amicable resolution. He emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order in Punjab, especially considering its status as a border state. He assured that the situation is under control with a significant police force deployed to maintain peace.

Verma advised against relying solely on media reports and highlighted the deployment of senior police officers and over 2000 personnel to ensure continued calm. He concluded by reiterating that the situation is closely monitored at the highest level, and decisive action will be taken to prevent any potential disruption of peace.