NEW DELHI: Ravneet Singh Bittu, MoS for Railways and Food Processing Industries, strongly condemned the recent blast outside the Thakur Dwara temple in Amritsar.
Expressing his concern, he criticized the AAP government for failing to control law and order in Punjab.
โI strongly condemn the bomb attack on the Thakur Dwara temple in Sri Amritsar Sahib. The AAP government has failed to curb repeated incidents of blasts in the border city. The deteriorating law and order in Punjab is a matter of serious concern,โ the Minister wrote on X.
His statement followed a powerful explosion that occurred late Friday night at the Thakur Dwara Temple in Amritsarโs Khandwala area. The blast damaged the templeโs walls and shattered its window panes, but no casualties were reported.
In a video message, the Minister expressed deeper concerns over the growing violence in Punjab. He noted an increase in bomb blasts across various locations.
โI returned from Kali Shri Amritsar Sahib, and just the night before, there were continuous bomb blasts at police stations, in villages, incidents of child kidnapping, and now at a religious place,โ he said.
Criticizing the Punjab Chief Ministerโs response, Bittu remarked, โAt this serious time, the Chief Minister claims that everything is normal. If these incidents are โnormal,โ what would you consider โabnormalโ? When the situation will become like Balochistan or Pakistan?โ
He also raised concerns about the use of grenades in recent attacks. โGrenades have never been common in acts of terrorism. They are used in war zones, yet today, they are being carried everywhere,โ he added.
Blaming police mismanagement for the deteriorating situation, Bittu said, โThereโs factionalism in the police force. On one side, thereโs your group โ the SSP and DGP โ and on the other, a group from Delhi directly influencing SSPs, DIGs, and other officers.โ
He further accused the Punjab Chief Minister of neglecting his responsibilities. โChief Minister, you wake up, hold meetings in your room, and then retreat to your bedroom. Have you ever gone to the secretariat to hold a proper meeting?โ he asked, urging stronger action to ensure public safety.
The Minister warned that Punjabโs sensitive situation demands careful handling. โPunjab is a very sensitive state. Over 25,000 people have lost their lives because of this,โ he said.
Bittu also urged the Union Home Minister and Home Secretary to intervene. โI will definitely request the Home Minister to wake the Chief Minister, the DGP, and the Home Secretary. They are causing serious harm to Punjab,โ he concluded.
