Situation in Punjab is threatening to turn into jungle raj: Cong

Chandigarh, May 24: Congress today alleged that law and order situation in Punjab has "collapsed" and claimed it is "threatening" to turn into "jungle raj".

A Congress delegation led by party leader Sunil Jakhar met Punjab and Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki and submitted a memorandum in this connection. "There is an atmosphere of fear and insecurity prevailing all over the state.

Crime has become so much organised and institutionalised that no less a person than the Director General of Police himself admitted that there are 57 organised criminal gangs operating in the state," Jakhar, who is a party spokesperson, said.

Police is doing nothing despite having knowledge about everything due to the "political interference and pressure" by their Akali bosses, he alleged. "The repercussions are before all of us. Punjab is on the brink of anarchy," he said.

"It is threatening to turn into jungle raj. It is not merely the question of law and order going from bad to worse, but the lawlessness dangerously leading to anarchy. The tragedy is that those at the helm of affairs have preferred to shut their eyes and ears on everything," Jakhar said.

"It is a matter of grave concern that the police, by design or default, have not been able to achieve any breakthrough in any of the major cases," he claimed.

"The Akalis are directly responsible for the current situation of lawlessness as they have virtually taken over the police hierarchy in the state," he said. "Last but not the least Punjab's economy is in terminal decline," he said, adding that it will need huge efforts to revive it.

"We need to build up the confidence of investors. If the law and order continues to collapse like this, who will dare to invest in Punjab,?" Jakhar said. He urged the governor to take up the matter with the Union Home Minister to draw his attention to the issue.

PTI