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Daljeet Cheema questions deteriorating law and order in Punjab.
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CM Bhagwant Mann accused of focusing on disputes with the BJP and the Governor.
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Punjab’s financial condition worsens, and it relies on high-interest loans.
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Anti-drug campaign promising, but police-gangster nexus persists.
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The Colonel Bath incident highlights the poor state of law enforcement.
Former Indian Army Colonel Daljeet Singh Cheema sharply criticized the Punjab government’s handling of law and order, highlighting the rise in crime and systemic failures.
He accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of wasting time in conflicts with the central BJP government and the Governor, neglecting critical state issues. Cheema highlighted the worsening financial situation, with Punjab now dependent on high-interest loans to sustain government operations.
While acknowledging the state’s anti-drug campaign as a positive step, he questioned its effectiveness, alleging a deep-rooted nexus between police, gangsters, and smugglers.
“The incident involving Colonel Bath is a glaring example of law enforcement’s collapse,” Cheema stated, referring to recent events that have sparked public outrage. He urged the government to prioritize strengthening policing and addressing criminal networks to restore public trust and ensure safety across Punjab.
Cheema emphasized that Punjab’s financial health has deteriorated significantly, pushing the state into deeper debt. “The government is surviving on costly loans, burdening future generations,” he said. Despite the anti-drug initiative’s potential, Cheema argued that its impact is limited unless the police-gangster-smuggler nexus is dismantled. He cited the Colonel Bath incident as evidence of law enforcement’s failure to protect citizens, fueling public distrust. Local communities have echoed these concerns, with many reporting increased gang activity and smuggling in border areas.
“Punjab needs decisive action, not political battles,” Cheema stressed, calling for reforms in policing and financial management. By addressing these challenges, the government can rebuild confidence and tackle the growing law and order crisis, ensuring a safer and more prosperous Punjab for all residents.
Punjab’s Rising Debt and Drug Smuggling Crisis Deepens
Punjab’s financial crisis has worsened, with the state increasingly dependent on high-interest loans to sustain its operations, thereby exacerbating its debt burden, which reportedly rose by ₹1,00,000 crore in three years. Former Colonel Daljit Singh Cheema criticized the government’s mismanagement, alleging that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s focus on political disputes diverts attention from economic reforms. This mounting debt, coupled with limited revenue sources, strains public services and infrastructure development. Despite promises of fiscal prudence, the state’s reliance on costly borrowing risks long-term economic instability, burdening future generations. Experts urge structural reforms to boost revenue and reduce expenditure, stabilizing Punjab’s economy.
Punjab leads India in drug smuggling cases, with 7,433 reported cases in 2022, according to the NCRB. Recent 2025 operations saw Punjab Police seize 9kg of heroin, 15kg of opium, and 20,000 intoxicant tablets in just two days. However, a persistent police-gangster-smuggler nexus undermines anti-drug campaigns. Incidents like Colonel Bath’s expose enforcement failures, fueling public distrust.
