Will not allow any mafia in Punjab: Amarinder

Promising to wipe out transport, drug, mining and liquor mafias operating in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday said his government will deal with them with an iron hand.

Addressing a press conference here on the occasion of completion of his government's three years, Singh said a legislation will be brought soon to give more teeth to the anti-drug special task force (STF) and the Punjab Police to tackle the drug mafia.

"I will not allow any mafia, transport, sand or liquor (to operate in Punjab). We will be dealing with them with an iron hand and I can assure you that we will break this nexus," the chief minister said.

Singh said his government has been working to put an end to all this since taking over Punjab's reins "but these things take time".

"We have done our best, and we could not have done any better considering the situation," he said.

Singh's remarks come amid demands by several legislators of the ruling party for concrete action against the mafias.

Congress MLAs Raja Amrinder Singh Warring, Pargat Singh are among those who have voiced the demand.

On the issue of drugs, the chief minister said the drug mafia's back has already been broken by his government.

Singh said narco terrorists are using new ways to push drugs into Punjab, including drones and new routes, but "we are prepared to deal with them".

He said he will not allow anyone to disturb the peace in the state.

"I will be absolutely harsh," he said, adding that as an ex-armyman, he knows how to deal with such elements.

Referring to complaints of continued illegal practices in sand mining, Singh said he has asked the water resources minister to thoroughly review and make the system fully transparent.

The government's aim is to ensure a steady supply of sand at affordable rates at the pithead with proper use of technology to check any illegal activity by contractors or miners, he said.

New mining proposals will be announced by the government in two-three weeks, he added.

Singh said his government remained committed to total transparency in governance and it will soon bring in a new Lokpal Bill along with an anti-red tape legislation and a Land Leasing and Tenancy Act.

Responding to a question, he said the elections to municipal bodies will be held soon.