Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP and former Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal on Sunday, 24 May launched a fierce attack on the Punjab government, alleging that law and order in the state had 'completely collapsed' — hours after an on-duty police officer was shot dead in broad daylight in Amritsar.

ASI Killed on Duty in Amritsar

A Punjab Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), identified as Joga Singh, was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants in Majithia, Amritsar district, while he was on his way to duty. The attackers reportedly opened fire and fled the scene immediately after the shooting. The killing drew sharp condemnation from opposition leaders and reignited the political debate over security in the state.

Maliwal's Attack on the Punjab Government

Maliwal, in a post on X, cited both the ASI's killing and alleged disorder inside Punjab's prisons to build her case against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state administration. 'On one hand, this is the condition of Punjab's jails. Prisoners are creating chaos, vandalising property, and setting things on fire. They all appear to have mobile phones in their hands as well. In Punjab's jails, inmates are being given VIP treatment,' she wrote.

Referring directly to the Amritsar incident, she added: 'On the other hand, in Amritsar, a Punjab Police ASI on duty was murdered in broad daylight.'

Political Blame and Allegations Against AAP

Maliwal escalated her criticism to target Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, alleging that he had 'abandoned his responsibilities and accepted subservience to Arvind Kejriwal.' She described the situation as 'shameful,' arguing that crime was steadily rising while prisoners operated beyond the control of state authorities.

This comes amid a sustained political offensive by the BJP and other opposition parties against the AAP government over what they describe as deteriorating security conditions and lax prison administration. Punjab has witnessed repeated incidents of political sparring on law-and-order grounds in recent months, with opposition leaders citing violence on the streets and disorder within correctional facilities.

Broader Context: Punjab's Law and Order Debate

The killing of ASI Joga Singh is the latest in a series of incidents that critics argue reflect a systemic breakdown in policing and prison governance in Punjab. Opposition parties have repeatedly raised concerns in the state assembly and on public platforms over gang-linked violence, targeted killings, and the alleged misuse of mobile phones inside prisons. The AAP government has not issued an immediate public response to Maliwal's specific allegations.

With the political temperature rising, the incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of the Punjab government's security record ahead of future electoral cycles.