Rupnagar (Punjab) (PTI): Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday attacked the AAP dispensation in Punjab, saying law and order "collapsed" in the state after the formation of "one government", and suggested it "wakes up" and takes some steps.
His remarks come in the backdrop of the last month Ajnala incident in which self-styled Sikh preacher and Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh and his supporters, carrying swords and guns, clashed with police for the release of one of his aide.
In Delhi, they say the police should be handed over to them, "what have they done to the police (here in Punjab)", the BJP leader and information and broadcasting minister said without naming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) or its government in the state and in the national capital.
Law and order situation has "collapsed" in the state in the last one year, Thakur, who was here to launch the 'Yuva Utsava-India@2047', told reporters.
"What has happened to Punjab's situation in the last one year? The incidents which took place here, what do they indicate," Thakur asked.
"The Punjab Police used to be discussed throughout the country and today, what this discussion has now turned into. Who is responsible for this?" he asked.
The Union minister wondered if the law and order situation of a state "breaks down too soon with the formation of one government".
To another question, Thakur said law and order is the responsibility of the state government. "I hope that this sleeping government wakes up and its honeymoon (period) is over. It should now wake up and should take some steps," he said
The Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab is facing flak from opposition parties, including the BJP, over the Ajnala incident and a clash between gangsters in Tarn Taran jail that resulted in the death of two criminals held in connection with singer Sidhu Moosewala murder case.
However, Mann, who holds the home affairs portfolio, had earlier said that his government would maintain law and order and no one will be allowed to disturb its hard earned peace.
The BJP has also targeted the AAP government, demanding governor's rule in the state.
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Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
