Congress legislative Party (ClP) leader Sunil Jakhar and ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu on Sunday strongly criticised the Punjab Government for committing “excesses” on independent legislators Balwinder Singh Bains and his brother Simranjit Singh Bains for raising voice against the sand mafia.
“The false cases are being slapped to keep Bains-brothers behind the bars since they have exposed the SAD-BJP alliance Government for nourishing the sand mafia,” they said.
The Congress leaders said that the burning issue had put the alliance leaders in dock. “To keep them in jail by slapping more and more cases and trying to raise the gravity of “crime” amounts to murder of democracy, the designs of the ruling alliance also defeat the fundamental rights of the people enshrined in the Constitution,” they added.
ClP leader said that he had raised the issue of unchecked and widespread sand mining in Jalalabad, the constituency represented by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. “Despite assurances given on the floor of the House, effective steps have not been taken to check the illegal activities of the sand mafia,” he said.
Jakhar and Bittu said that for the past eight years, the Government had not only given a free hand to the gravel, sand and stone metal mafia to rule the roost, but the scrupulous, politically and officially backed mafia was also allowed to indulge in open loot and plunder.
“This has affected millions of people who are under social compulsion of repairing or reconstructing their houses. The alliance Government can boast of its unparalleled achievement in shielding sand, land and drugs mafias in the state,” they said.
“The political ideologies may differ but Congress will stand like a rock by the side of each person who carries fight to protect interests of the masses. If the government keeps on unleashing reign of terror on Bains-brothers, Congress can’t afford to be a silent spectator to erosion of democratic system and will organise protest,” they warned.