Demanding a CBI probe into the alleged `6,000 crore drug racket, the Punjab Congress on Thursday blocked roads at about 110 points in different parts of the State for two hours. Protesting Congress members accused the State Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia of being involved in thedrug racket.
Terming the response to ‘chakka jam’ as “overwhelming”, Bajwa said that the protest went off peacefully. Bajwa, who led the protest at landran near Mohali, said that the people’s anger against the drug menace was evident from the fact that common people joined the protest at different places.
Expressing concern over the inconvenience caused to commuters, Bajwa said that there was no option left other than coming on roads for forcing the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to order CBI probe.
SAD-BJP Government is busy in shielding Majithia, and the party would welcome the CBI inquiry into the alleged drug menace during Congress rule from 2002 to 2007.
“SAD protest against me is an attempt to divert attention from Majithia and other two Ministers involved in the drug racket. I wonder that Chief Minister has powers to order CBI inquiry into the involvement of Congress leaders and Akali Ministers as well in the drug racket, then what is the logic of protest. Ever heard of ruling party only protesting and not exercising its powersIJ” he added.
He said that he had failed to understand the real fears in mind of Badal for not ordering CBI inquiry. Bajwa said that Punjab Police would not be in position to hold inquiry against a Cabinet Minister unless he resigns from his office and
surrender before police for
investigation.
He said that Congress would launch indefinite chain hunger strike from January 19 and he will sit on fast on the first day. “Congress would intensify the agitation if Chief Minister continued to protect Majithia,”
he added.
Protests were also witnessed at Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, ludhiana, Moga and Jalandhar. Congress members of Majitha constituency blocked the Amritsar-Jammu National Highway at Talwandi crossing between Kathunangal and Jaintipur village.
Meanwhile, ruling Shiromani Akali Dal claimed that people of Punjab rejected the Congress’ ‘chakka jam’ protest. Badal, reacting to the congress’ protest, categorically said: “In a democratic set up, everyone has a right to register his or her protest but hindering the life of general public by blocking roads and rails is totally unlawful and the violation of the rights of a common man. State Government has earmarked places in the districts for such protests.”
“The Congress protest led by Bajwa turned out to be an utter failure,” SAD leaders including Cabinet Ministers Sikander Singh Maluka, Janmeja Singh Sekhon and Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said, adding that it was noteworthy that not only the people of the State, even the Congress rank and file had boycotted the ‘chakka jam’ programme of the PCC president.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to continue its campaign against drugs, they said: “A lot has been done during the last two years to stem the drug menace with more than 28,000 peddlers being arrested and an average of 16 times more recoveries being effected per year vis-à-vis the seizures during Congress rule.”