Punjab Congress Leaders Address Security Concerns Amid Internal Turmoil

In light of recent organizational changes within the Punjab Congress, senior leader Sukhjinder Randhawa met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Friday to discuss the deteriorating law and order situation in the border state. This meeting comes amid internal discontent following the party leadership's decision to retain Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as the head of the state unit. Supporters of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi gathered at his residence in Morinda, with several former legislators advocating for his appointment as state president.

Randhawa, who previously served as Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister, informed reporters that he had sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a month ago, detailing issues related to gang dominance, extortion, and particularly the Pakistan-backed narco-terrorism in Punjab's border districts. He stated that his discussion with Shah was based on the contents of that letter, as well as additional information regarding the declining law and order situation and the political misuse of Punjab police.

He mentioned that he had alerted Modi about incidents occurring in the border areas of Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Pathankot. Randhawa emphasized that the central government has agencies like Military Intelligence, RAW, CBI, and the Intelligence Bureau to monitor such activities. Referring to his conversation with Shah, he noted, "The Home Minister asked if I had spoken to the state's DGP... Extortion is happening, and inmates are communicating via mobile phones. There are also discussions about electoral fraud with the help of goons and gangsters." He further inquired about the central government's role in curbing these issues, stressing that the threat to national security cannot be ignored, especially with direct involvement from Pakistan.

Commenting on the turmoil within the Congress party, Randhawa expressed disappointment over the situation following the release of the new list. He stated, "It is certainly disheartening when such events occur after the list is announced. I have a habit of speaking the truth, and I am unsure what this means." He added, "The situation is not as dire as one might think. However, it is concerning that it should not have reached this point. It is unfortunate that even after numerous meetings, people remain dissatisfied." He mentioned that Congress observer Ajay Maken could clarify what report he submitted to the party high command regarding the changes in the state unit. Reports suggest that Channi is unhappy about not being appointed and did not formally thank the party leadership after the announcement.