Sidhu again attacks govt over sacrilege, drugs

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 26

PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu has once again embarrassed his government by exposing its incapability in initiating legal and police action against those involved in the sacrilege and drug mafia cases.

On a visit to his constituency here today, Sidhu said the Charanjit Singh Channi-led government did not file even a single special leave petition (SLP) after the prime accused in the desecration case, former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, was given blanket bail on September 10. No action was taken despite the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing the government to dispose of the desecration case within six months, he said.

Who’s stalling action?

Who is stalling the police and law to take action against the guilty? The issue of drug is ravaging the state. —Navjot Singh Sidhu, PCC president

He questioned the government’s failure in curb the drug menace. Citing High Court judgments in different cases, he pointed towards connivance of government officials. “The HC while hearing a smuggling case observed drug suppliers are enjoying political patronage and escape punishment and only small-time couriers are caught,” he said. In the 12 lakh Tramadole seizure case, Sidhu cited the HC order, saying: “Punjab state functionaries, for reasons best known to them, are intentionally protecting drug offenders.” He said the NDPS bureau in its report had stated Punjab topped in drug-related crimes.

Similarly, on the directions of the HC, the Enforcement Directorate report was handed over to the STF in February 2018. There were clear instructions of the HC to take action against the accused as per law. “Who is stalling the police and law to take action against the guilty?” said Sidhu.

Asked whether there was lack of coordination between the party and government, Sidhu brushed aside the allegation, saying it was the result of coordination that power tariff and rates of sand were reduced. The reason for taking up the issue was that “the government was acting slowly and casually”. The issue of drug was ravaging the state, he added.

Showering praise on farmers, he hailed as social revolution their success in getting the three laws withdrawn. He said the agitation had left an indelible mark in the history of independent India. He said successive governments failed to give a roadmap to turn farming profitable. “Farmers are grappling with constant rise in the input cost, low productivity and quoting of insufficient prices”.

Zira MLA Kulbir Singh Zira on Friday said though the issues flagged by Sidhu were right, the manner in which he was raising these wasn’t.