Chandigarh, February 11 The opposition in Punjab on Wednesday strongly condemned the AAP government over the shooting of migrant laborers in Moga, urging the Bhagwant Mann-led administration to "wake up" from its complacency.
They called for action against those attempting to create divisions within society.
Two migrant laborers were injured after three unidentified assailants on a motorcycle allegedly opened fire at a group of workers in Moga district on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on the Zira road when the group was on their way to a meal after work at a factory.
Following the incident, an unverified post appeared on Instagram, claiming that a user named Nirvair Singh was responsible for the firing. The post also included a video purportedly showing the incident.
Police said efforts were underway to identify the assailants, and the case was being investigated from all angles.
Condemning the shooting, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said that migrant laborers were targeted as part of a conspiracy.
In a post on X, Jakhar said, "Earlier in Punjab, businesses were being targeted, which is why no new industries were willing to come here. Now, in Moga, an incident has occurred where migrant workers were targeted as part of a conspiracy. This is not what Punjab stands for."
He said that these migrant workers make a significant contribution to Punjab's industry and agriculture.
"This is a highly condemnable act. The Bhagwant Mann government should wake up and show the courage to take action against the forces that are creating divisions in society and disrupting law and order," the BJP chief added.
The unverified post, which appeared after the incident, claimed that the firing on people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was carried out by Ladi Bhalwan and Nirvair Singh.
The post said that the firing was carried out as a "protest" against these migrant workers who "spoiled" the atmosphere in Punjab. It also warned of further violence if migrant workers were not driven out of villages and towns.
The post also attempted to justify the attack by referring to past incidents involving migrant workers. It warned sarpanches and panchayat members who obtained Aadhaar cards for the migrant workers, and allowed them to stay for the sake of votes.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring dubbed the shooting incident on migrant workers as "alarming and disturbing".
"We must nip this evil in the bud. The attack on migrant laborers must be investigated, and the guilty must be given exemplary punishment. We must unite to defeat these forces. I hope the @AAPPunjab Government and the Government of India take this seriously," he said in a post on X.
Warring added, "We must rise above partisan politics to combat this serious threat to OUR PUNJAB."
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said that after "complete lawlessness and gangster rule," a new conspiracy seems to be afoot to destabilize Punjab.
Badal said in a post on X, "This firing on migrant laborers in Moga is enough to understand the sinister move. The @AamAadmiParty govt under @ArvindKejriwal's control, Chief Minister @BhagwantMann, and their notorious 'Saam, Daam, Dand, Bhed' strategy are directly responsible for this situation."
He said that urgent steps are needed to tackle this situation before AAP's ruthless tactics turn Punjab into a permanent battleground of division, coercion, and chaos.