Bhagwant Mann’s Punjab: Crime Falls, Public Sees New Hope in Governance

Punjab: On completion of two years of the AAP government, there are mixed reactions in Punjab regarding crime control, law and order, employment, and the happiness and sorrow of the general public. In Punjab, two years have been completed to the Aam Aadmi Party government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had made many promises during his tenure to curb crime, take action on the drug mafia, and give employment to the youth. Now the question is whether the situation in Punjab has really changed. Are crimes reduced? And most important, are people feeling more secure and satisfied than before?

How much success in crime control?

According to Punjab Police and government data, the crime rate in the state has declined to some extent. Especially there has been a decrease in cases of murder, kidnapping, and gangster activities.

• Murder cases: While 723 cases of murder were reported in 2021, in 2022 the figure declined to 654.
• Kidnapping cases: 1787 cases of kidnapping were registered in 2021, while in 2022 it came down to 1645.
• Action on gangster networks: Punjab Police Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) ​​has so far arrested 428 gangsters and exposed more than 100 gang modules.

Campaign against drugs

The "war against drugs"has been in great discussion. Under this campaign:

• There have been more than 14,700 arrests.
• More than 8,300 FIRs were registered.
• About 860 kg of heroin has been seized.
• Although the DGP of Punjab Police has also admitted that the problem of drugs is not completely over, to a large extent control has come under control.

Police reforms and new appointments

• The government has taken several steps to strengthen the police department:
• Around 1800 constables and 300 sub-inspectors were new recruits.
• 139 new police vehicles were purchased.
• Police were modernized by cyber and anti-drone technology.

Road safety and traffic reform

The deployment of the Road Safety Force (RSF) in Punjab has resulted in a significant reduction of up to 48 percent in road accidents, according to official data. This decline is being seen as a major relief for the state, where road safety has long been a pressing concern. The RSF's active presence on highways and critical routes, combined with stricter traffic enforcement and awareness campaigns, has contributed to safer roads and a noticeable drop in casualties and mishaps.

How satisfied is the public?

The reaction of the people of Punjab is mixed. While some people believe that Bhagwant Maan Sarkar has done a good job with crime control, some people say that basic facilities and investment are still behind. Some people believe that law and order has improved and police accountability has increased. On the other hand, some classes say that problems like corruption and political intervention still remain.

Common people on the scale of happiness and sorrow

The government has claimed that so far more than 51,000 youth have been given government jobs, and there are plans to provide more jobs in the coming time. However, at the level of education, health, and infrastructure, many areas still need to improve. Everyday problems of the general public, such as power cuts, cleanliness, roads, and inflation, are still a matter of concern. The Bhagwant Maan Sarkar took many tough decisions regarding law and order during his tenure and campaigned against drugs and gangsters. According to the data, there has been a decline in crime, but some serious challenges still remain. Public experience is satisfactory and unsatisfactory. Overall, Punjab is still on the path of improvement, but more hard work is needed to reach the destination.