Fearing defeat, Akalis may resort to violence during elections: AAP

As Akalis have already smelled their humiliating defeat in the upcoming elections, they may disturb peace by using their goons GURPREET SINGH WARAICH, state convener, Aam Aadmi Party

CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday echoed the apprehensions of Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh that the ruling Akalis may resort to violence during the assembly polls in Punjab. The party said growing crime graph, 52 dreaded gangs and more than 20,000 proclaimed offenders (POs) at large, were enough indications for AAP’s apprehension.

“As Akalis have already smelled their humiliating defeat in the upcoming elections, they may disturb peace by using their goons,” party’s state convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich said.

He said director general of police Suresh Arora has himself admitted that there were 52 dreaded gangs in Punjab and even in a report submitted to election commissioner, Punjab Police admitted that there were more than 20,000 POs in the state.

“The police have failed to submit an action taken report of the home department, headed by deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, against gangsters and POs,” he added.

“Instead of taking action against criminals, Sukhbir preferred to raise the bogey of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, by claiming that it may indulge in violence in Punjab during polls. The ISI’s threat is nothing else but is an attempt to make ground for violence by Akali goons,” he said demanding heavy deployment of central forces in Punjab to conduct free and fair elections.