Chandigarh: Ahead of Union home minister Amit Shah ’s visit to Gurdaspur , Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema demanded that the BJP-led Centre and Gujarat govt clarify what concrete measures have been taken against criminal networks linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi .




Cheema claimed Lawrence, who is lodged in the high-security Sabarmati Jail , is being treated like a “state guest”.




Referring to reports of a firing incident targeting actor Tiger Shroff in Mumbai, Cheema said, “Concerns are growing over the security of prominent actors, businessmen and ordinary citizens. People linked to Lawrence Bishnoi have taken responsibility for the incident. An impartial probe into the matter is needed.”




He further alleged, “The BJP has fostered an environment of gangsterism and allowed a drug trafficking network to spread across the country. Gangsters are being used to target leaders of opposition parties or those who raise their voice against the BJP.”




“Before coming to Punjab, Shah must answer the questions being raised by people across the country about gangsterism, drug trafficking, extortion and the safety of ordinary citizens. The BJP cannot evade responsibility for these issues. Cases involving murder, extortion and kidnapping have been registered against Lawrence Bishnoi in different parts of the country. Despite being lodged in Sabarmati Jail, reports of criminal activities and threatening phone calls in his name continue to emerge,” said Cheema.




He asked, “Why have the Union home ministry and the Gujarat govt not provided clear answers about the alleged operation of criminal networks from inside prisons? Amit Shah must explain what concrete steps have been taken to dismantle these networks, prevent threatening calls and stop extortion. The public also deserves to know whose accountability has been fixed in such cases.”




Questioning the BJP’s law-and-order claims, Cheema said, “Reports of gang wars, shootings, extortion and drug trafficking continue to emerge from states such as Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The BJP claims to ensure strong law and order across the country, but people want to know what is actually being done to dismantle criminal networks and protect young people from drugs.”




Cheema said, “Criminal gangs intimidate businesspeople, ordinary citizens and political opponents. In a democracy, every citizen and political party has the right to express themselves without fear. When people are silenced through threats or businesspeople are targeted for extortion, it is not merely a failure of law and order; it is an attack on the freedom of citizens.”