At Moosewala’s village, Navjot Sidhu targets ‘most protected CM’: ‘jails are now suvidha kendras for crime’

“Sidhu Moosewala was the pride of Punjab. He was a youth icon for the entire world. The question is was there a political conspiracy behind what happened with him. Law and order is the foremost duty of any government. Sarkaaran bachaun wali hundi ya marwaun wali hai (Are the governments suppose to protect or perpetrate crime)? Has it ever happened before that when a government withdraws someone’s security, it publicizes its details,” asked Sidhu with Moosewala’s parents beside him.

This was the former state Congress chief’s first visit to Moosewala family. Sidhu was in jail when a group of men waylaid the Punjabi singer and killed him in a hail of bullets.

The Congress leader said what happened with Moosewala was now being done to him. “But I don’t care. I had Z+ security, but now only 13 security men are left with me. Why? Because the way they wanted to silence Moosewala, they want that I too should not move out of the house and should not speak the truth. But that won’t happen. I don’t fear death. They can’t silence me by taking away my bullet-proof vehicle,” he added.

Sidhu said that it was a matter of extreme shame for Mann government that even after an year, the “real conspirators” behind Moosewala’s killing were not traced or held. “Moosewala’s father is carrying the heaviest burden..the weight of his son’s coffin,” he added.

Sidhu said that Moosewala’s parents were not even asked before naming the accused in the FIR for their son’s murder. “At least probe the names whom the parents suspect, at least investigate and find real masterminds behind the conspiracy,” he said.

Hinting at a collusion between AAP government in state and BJP at the Centre, Sidhu said that “a conspiracy has been weaved to tarnish image of Punjab and a law and order problem has been deliberately created to portray it as an unsafe ahead of Lok Sabha polls for political motives”.

‘Those not in power want to show Punjab not peaceful’

In an indirect attack on BJP, Sidhu said “waddiyaan takaatan (big powers) want to show that other states are peaceful that Punjab as they are “not in power here”.

“Some people want to portray that Punjab is not worth living because no one votes for them here; Punjab can never be divided. Visit the Golden Temple and you will see as many Hindus as Sikhs,” he said further attacking the BJP.

Continuing his attacks on Mann, Sidhu said that this was the “same Aam Aadmi CM” who till 11 months back, used to flay VIP culture and claimed that he doesn’t need gunmen. “Today you are the most protected CM. When your cavalcade passes, vehicles cannot be seen in dust,” he said
Sidhu further hit out at the CM for seeking paramilitary force from the Centre.

“Mann had criticized (Congress leader and former CM Charanjit Singh) Channi for extension of BSF powers in Punjab. That time Mann had said that Channi signed some deal with the Centre to sell rights of Punjab. Now friend, you have brought 50 companies (of paramilitary force). Which mega deal you have signed,” he asked Mann.

Sidhu said gangsters, who are in police custody, are political pawns and they were used for meeting political motives.

“Are gangsters the real culprits? No, they are mere pawns and misguided youths who are being used for political motives,” he said said and slammed the government for deploying heavy security for gangsters when they are brought to courts for hearings.

‘Govt has 2G mobile jammers, gangsters have 5G phones’

He alleged that jails have turned into ‘suvidha kendras’, or facilitation centre for crime instead of being the reform homes and gangsters were giving interviews from jail. He also raised questions over security in jail premises, referring to a purported TV interview of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, saying that the state government has 2G mobile jammers in jails while the gangsters have 5G mobile phones. “And then their interviews are run,” he said.

Sidhu said he had heard that the CM had once said that he would bring foreigners to work in Punjab. “Your own children are living abroad,” he said taking a swipe at the CM.
Sidhu also slammed Mann for “politicizing the police force” and also named former IAS officer Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, who is now an AAP MLA.

“Law and order problem in Punjab has been created and some people will benefit from it
Our police force has capable officers. I was the one who had fought with the previous government to have Kunwar Vijay Partap as CP of Amritsar. You have him but now even he is speaking against you. Punjab Police is not weak, your orders are,” said Sidhu, adding that the Mann government should stop treating police as its slave.

Give a deadline for report on Bishnoi interview: Balkaur

Moosewala’s father Balkaur Singh also raised the issue of Bishnoi’s interview on a TV channel and said no action has been taken so far in his son’s murder case. “A committee has been formed to probe the jail interview but when will the report be out? We need a deadline,” he said.

“Lawrence is in your custody, why he is not being interrogated. The CM had also promised a commission for action against officials who had leaked my son’s security details. Where is that commission,” he asked.

Balkaur Singh said that they had made arrangements for at least 3 lakh people for their son’s barsi but only 60-70,000 reached due to “curfew like situation created by government.”

“Why Amritpal could not be caught a day later? But let us tell you (CM), it was not our first gathering nor the last, more such will be held till you change your attitude,” he said.