Legislator seeks security after utterances against Badals

CHANDIGARH - Punjab Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira Saturday sought greater security for himself, citing a threat to his life after his utterances against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his son Sukhbir Singh Badal and various mafia.

In a communication to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) P.S. Gill, Khaira claimed that his life was in danger and he had been receiving tacit and indirect messages from various quarters to be “careful”.

Khaira, in his letter, said: “As you are aware, I am a known critic of the present state government both within and outside the Vidhan Sabha (assembly). I have had to face the wrath of chief minister and his deputy (Sukhbir Singh Badal) for speaking against them during the last three and half years.”

“A well-planned drive of political vendetta was unleashed in my constituency and over 100 false cases have been registered against myself and important Congress workers. I have been detained and arrested thrice during the tenure of the present SAD-BJP (Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party) government,” he said.

Khaira is representing the Bholath seat in Punjab’s Kapurthala district.

“I also vehemently spoke against politically well connected business tycoon Balbir Singh of Laxmi Energy and Foods at Khamano. I was demanding registration of an FIR in the roof collapse incident in his mill Sep 12 in which five workers were killed but the government failed to act,” he said.

“I have often raised the issue of hijack of important trades of sand quarrying, cable-TV network, transport and bulk liquor by political-business mafia in the state, at the behest of the chief minister and his son,” Khaira added.

“All the above mentioned political activities have irked the mighty and the powerful of the state. I have been receiving tacit and indirect messages from various quarters to be careful and that my life may be in danger,” Kharia said.

The police were not immediately available for comment.