Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Friday questioned the deteriorating law and order situation in Himachal Pradesh over the past three years and said the government should take serious steps to check increasing incidents of crime occurring in broad daylight in the otherwise peaceful state of Himachal.
Initiating the debate on the cut motion on law and order in the State Assembly, Thakur said that since the Congress came to power, incidents of daytime shootouts and repeated incidents involving tourists had been reported. He termed it inappropriate on the part of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to tell tourists during the Winter Carnival that they could enjoy the Ridge in Shimla freely and that police would escort them back to their hotels.
“This resulted in hooliganism on the Ridge, and tourists began taking the system for granted. Tourists are welcome, but the government should not send signals that allow anyone to disturb the peaceful environment,” he said.
Thakur said in the last three years, the drug mafia had spread its network deep into the interiors of the hill state. He said the previous BJP government had taken strict steps to curb drug trafficking in the state and had contained the menace largely in border areas.
“During the Congress tenure, drug traffickers have entered interior villages, and alarmingly, 66 deaths due to drug overdose have been reported in the last three years,” he said.
He also alleged that four cops from the anti-chitta State Task Force were themselves found involved in drug trading and were caught with drugs. “Who deployed these personnel in the anti-chitta task force? It was highly irresponsible. What action is the government taking now?” he asked.
The Leader of Opposition said it was a matter of concern that 1,534 persons had gone missing in the state, while 239 murder cases and 1,011 rape cases had been registered over the past three years. He also objected to the Chief Minister’s remarks referring to Congress winning elections in a state with a 97 per cent Hindus, saying such statements could trigger strong social reactions. He referred to an incident involving two communities in the interiors of Chamba district soon after the Congress came to power in the state.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu intervened and questioned Jai Ram Thakur why he was making such allegations in his speech. “All of us are Sanatanis. Himachal declared a full-day holiday when the Ram Temple was inaugurated, while people in Delhi were given only a half-day leave,” he said.
He said the government maintained zero tolerance toward drug trafficking and that police personnel found involved in narcotics cases had been terminated from service.
Former Speaker and BJP MLA from Sulah, Vipin Singh Parmar, raised issues related to alleged revenue irregularities in Palampur subdivision. He alleged that land mafia activities were increasing in the state without adequate police action and claimed that a liquor mafia was also flourishing. He added that the police were burdened with duties unrelated to core law-and-order responsibilities. “Cops are busy with pilot and escort duties these days,” he said.
Also read: BJP, Sukhu govt clash over Himcare Scheme in Assembly
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