NAPA urges Punjab government to strengthen law and order, protect NRIs
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) on Sunday urged the Punjab government to strengthen law and order and take effective measures to protect citizens and non-resident Indians amid concerns over shootings, killings, extortion, gangster activities and drug trafficking in the state.
NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal said ordinary citizens, businesses and families should be able to live without fear of criminals or extortion threats.
"People should not be afraid to speak against criminals, receive extortion threats or fear becoming victims of violence. The right to life and personal security must be protected," he said in a statement.
Chahal said organised crime was no longer confined to individual villages or cities and criminal networks could operate with the support of associates abroad, social media, illegal weapons and financial channels.
He called for action not only against those directly involved in violent crimes but also against people allegedly providing money, weapons, shelter, information or other forms of support to criminal networks.
Chahal also raised concerns about the safety of NRIs visiting Punjab, noting that thousands of Punjabis living in the US, Canada, Britain and other countries return every year to meet relatives, visit their villages, manage businesses and look after ancestral property.
"An NRI should be able to return to his or her village without fear of extortion, intimidation, property disputes or criminal attacks," he said.
He called for a transparent mechanism to handle complaints from NRIs involving alleged land grabbing, illegal occupation, forged documents and property disputes.
Since many NRIs live thousands of miles away, they can find it difficult to regularly monitor their properties, Chahal said, urging authorities to ensure that their complaints are registered, investigated and tracked and that complainants are kept informed about action taken.
He also sought stronger action against drug trafficking and illegal weapons, saying organised crime and the drug trade could be connected through illegal funds used to finance weapons, extortion and violence.
"Punjab's fight against drugs cannot be separated from its fight against organised crime. Breaking the financial chain behind criminal networks is as important as arresting their members," he said.
Chahal also expressed concern over attacks on police personnel, calling them a warning sign of organised criminal activity.
"When police officers become targets of organised criminal groups, it is a serious warning. Police need modern equipment, intelligence support, adequate manpower and institutional backing, while also remaining accountable and acting within the law," he said.
He said the actions of a small number of criminals should not be allowed to affect the image of the wider Punjabi and Sikh community, which he described as overwhelmingly peaceful and law-abiding.
