Amritsar MP from Congress Gurjeet Singh Aujla has written to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressing grave concern over the deteriorating security situation in Punjab amid a spate of grenade attacks. According to his letter, the Punjab government has failed to tackle the escalating violence, and Aujla urged Shah to himself intervene to restore law and order in the border state.
Aujla highlighted the increasing grenade attacks, especially targeting police stations. He described the response from the state government as wholly inadequate. He warned that being a sensitive border state, Punjab cannot afford to be a hub for violence and unrest. “These attacks have created a climate of fear among residents, posing serious threats to peace and stability, he said, noting that five to six grenade attacks occurred in the last month while four of them happened in Amritsar alone.
Aujla said the growing brazenness of the perpetrators and the repetitive nature of such incidents pointed towards the breakdown of Punjab’s law-enforcement and intelligence apparatuses. “The state government has failed to ensure public safety, and these acts of violence not only endanger citizens but also compromise our nation’s sovereignty and integrity,” he added.
In his appeal, Aujla urged the Home Ministry to deploy central intelligence and security agencies immediately to investigate and prevent further attacks. He emphasized close monitoring and enhanced security arrangements, particularly in vulnerable areas like Amritsar. He also demanded strict action against anti-national and anti-social elements responsible for the attacks, urging the central and state governments to work in coordination to restore peace without delay.
Timeline of Recent Events
1. November 24: A device planted outside Ajnala police station contained RDX but failed to detonate. Happy Passia claimed responsibility. Police arrested two suspects and recovered hand grenades.
2. November 27: A grenade exploded inside a closed police post at Gurbakhsh Nagar.
3. December 2: Grenade attack on SBS Nagar police station, Kathgarh. Suspects arrested and weapons seized.
4. December 4: Explosion in Majitha police station was termed as tyre burst by the authorities but former MLA Bikram Majithia terms it as a terrorist activity.
5. December 13: Grenade was thrown at Aliwal Batala police station in the night. Responsibility claimed by Happy Passia.
6. December 17: A grenade exploded at Islamabad police station in Amritsar. Initially, it was dismissed by the local police but later the DGP Punjab confirmed that it was a terrorist attack.
Aujla emphasized that this issue transcends state boundaries and is a matter of national security. He highlighted the strategic significance of Punjab as a border state, warning that any lapse in security could have far-reaching implications for the country’s stability. “We must act decisively to protect our citizens and uphold the sanctity of our democracy,” he said.
Escalating violence in Punjab has alerted the authorities at state and national levels. The situation requires immediate, concerted action to ensure the area does not see further turmoil in the face of repeated attacks on the critical institutions.