Punjab BJP attacks AAP govt over surge in firing, extortion cases
Synopsis
A former Punjab BJP chief has called out the AAP government over a spate of brazen incidents — a GRP officer shot at while heading home, a businessman's house fired upon after he refused a ₹1 crore extortion demand, and a snatching case in Kharar. The pattern, critics argue, points to a state where criminals feel increasingly untouchable.
Key Takeaways
Former Punjab BJP President Avinash Rai Khanna condemned multiple law-and-order failures on Monday, 5 October 2026 .
GRP ASI Sukhchain Singh was allegedly fired upon by three motorcycle-borne assailants in Amritsar while returning home from duty.
A businessman from Sri Goindwal Sahib had his house allegedly fired upon after he refused to pay ₹1 crore in extortion money.
A snatching incident targeting a woman in Kharar further heightened public safety concerns.
Khanna demanded an impartial probe, swift arrests, and a concrete action plan from the Bhagwant Mann -led AAP government.
Former Punjab BJP President and former Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Rai Khanna on Monday sharply condemned a string of firing, extortion, and snatching incidents reported across Punjab, raising pointed questions about the law-and-order record of the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Khanna's remarks come against the backdrop of multiple high-profile incidents that critics argue signal a deteriorating security environment in the state.
Key Incidents Cited
Khanna highlighted a brazen attack in Amritsar, where Government Railway Police (GRP) ASI Sukhchain Singh was allegedly fired upon by three motorcycle-borne individuals while returning home from duty. The incident, he argued, underscores that even uniformed officers are no longer safe.
A second incident involved firing outside the residence of a businessman from Sri Goindwal Sahib, who had allegedly refused to pay ₹1 crore in extortion money. Additionally, reports of snatching targeting a woman in the Kharar area have compounded public anxiety over personal safety.
What Khanna Said
'Criminals in Punjab have become so emboldened that even police personnel returning home after duty are being targeted by attackers,' Khanna said. He added that those demanding extortion were allegedly carrying out firing outside people's homes, while incidents of snatching and violence against ordinary citizens were also being reported.
Khanna demanded an impartial investigation into each incident, swift arrest of the accused, and justice for the victims. 'The people of Punjab are seeking security and results from the government, not merely statements,' he said.
Questions Over AAP's Law-and-Order Record
Khanna pressed the AAP government to clarify who would ultimately bear responsibility for ensuring a safe environment for Punjab's residents. He demanded a concrete action plan, asking when ordinary citizens would be able to feel secure. This is not the first time the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised the law-and-order issue in Punjab; opposition leaders have repeatedly flagged a perceived rise in gangster activity and extortion calls linked to overseas criminal networks since the AAP came to power.
Broader Context
Punjab has witnessed a series of high-profile extortion and targeted shooting incidents over the past year, with several cases allegedly linked to Canada-based gangsters operating through local aides. The state police have conducted multiple crackdown operations, but critics argue enforcement has not kept pace with the scale of organised crime. The AAP government is yet to formally respond to Khanna's latest salvo.
What Happens Next
Political pressure on the Mann government is expected to intensify as the BJP seeks to consolidate its narrative ahead of future electoral cycles in Punjab. Whether the government announces fresh enforcement measures or a high-level review of police operations will be closely watched in the coming days.
Point of View
But the underlying pattern it references is real and documented — Punjab has faced a sustained wave of extortion calls and targeted shootings, many traced to overseas criminal networks. The AAP government's law-and-order messaging has centred on crackdowns and arrests, yet incidents involving uniformed officers being targeted in public suggest the deterrence gap is widening. The question the opposition does not answer is what the previous government's record looked like — Punjab's gangster economy predates AAP's tenure. Still, governing parties own the present, and the Mann administration will struggle to deflect accountability if incidents of this nature keep accumulating.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What incidents prompted the Punjab BJP's criticism of the AAP government?
Punjab BJP leader Avinash Rai Khanna cited three incidents: a GRP ASI being fired upon in Amritsar while returning home from duty, a businessman's house being targeted after he refused a ₹1 crore extortion demand in Sri Goindwal Sahib, and a snatching incident involving a woman in the Kharar area.
Who is Avinash Rai Khanna?
Avinash Rai Khanna is a senior BJP leader who served as former President of the party's Punjab unit and as a member of the Rajya Sabha. He is a prominent opposition voice on Punjab affairs.
What has the BJP demanded from the AAP government?
The BJP has demanded an impartial investigation into each incident, the swift arrest of all accused, and a concrete action plan to restore public safety in Punjab — not, as Khanna put it, 'merely statements.'
How has the AAP government responded to these allegations?
As of the time of reporting, the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government had not issued a formal response to Khanna's specific demands and allegations.
Is Punjab's law-and-order situation a recurring political flashpoint?
Yes. Punjab has repeatedly been at the centre of law-and-order debates, with multiple high-profile extortion and targeted shooting incidents over the past year. Several cases have been linked to overseas-based criminal networks, and the issue has become a key BJP attack line against the AAP government.
