CHANDIGARGH, Jan 24: Opposition parties in Punjab Opposition parties in Punjab have sharply criticized the AAP government over the railway track blast in Sirhind, calling it a “clear failure” of law and order under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The suspected sabotage damaged a freight train engine and injured the loco pilot near Khanpur village, about 4–5 km from Sirhind station, on Friday night.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring condemned the incident, saying it underscores the state’s growing atmosphere of fear amid gangster violence.
He called the AAP government incompetent in safeguarding citizens and questioned the effectiveness of the 72-hour-long ‘Operation Prahaar’ anti-gangster drive, noting that a blast occurred despite heavy police deployment.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh demanded an NIA investigation, describing the attack as a threat to national economic infrastructure. Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said the incident reflects the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, calling for urgent accountability from the Mann government.
The blast, occurring ahead of Republic Day, has heightened security concerns across the state. (PTI)
