New Delhi: Hitting out at the trend of gun culture and gangsterism promoted by singers, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday condemned the move in the larger public interest and urged Punjabi singers to refrain from instigating violence, hatred and animosity in the society through their songs.
Mann appealed singers to follow the ethos of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat thereby strengthening the bonds of brotherhood, peace and harmony rather than fanning anti-social activities through such songs, according to a report by news agency ANI.
The chief minister, who asked the singers to be far more responsible, said they should play a constructive role in upholding the rich cultural legacy of Punjab for which it is known world over. "It is our prime duty to prevail upon such singers not to encourage violence through their songs which often pervert the youth especially the children with impressionable minds. Initially, we request them not to prop up such trend failing the government would be forced to act sternly against them," said Mann as per the release by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
Punjab CM cracking whip on drug supply
The Punjab chief minister asked the Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs)/Commissioners of Police (CPs) to coordinate with Special Task Force (STF) for launching joint operations to arrest the big sharks driving the drug mafia.
Coming out strongly against incidences of drug supply in the state at a high-level meeting of DCs and SSPs, the chief minister said the concerned SSP/CP would be held solely accountable in case any incident of drug supply comes to his notice from any part of the state, according to the ANI report.
The police officers have been directed to immediately swing into action in case someone lodges any complaint about drug trafficking, according to the release.
The chief minister also directed the DGP to issue detailed guidelines to all the SSPs to refrain from disclosing the price of drugs seized during recovery in the international market as this practice attracts innocent people to make quick buck.
The CM also asked to set up a peer support network, which would work towards the cause through their life experiences and help addicts quitting drugs.
He asked the DGP to strengthen the investigation mechanism also so that an exemplary punishment could be handed down to the guilty involved in the drug mafia at the earliest. The CM asked the DGP to speed up the process for confiscation of properties belonging to those involved in the drug mafia.