Milpitas(California)Jalandhar/Chandigarh -Punjab has always been a land of hospitality, where people from every part of the country have been welcomed with respect and dignity. However, the primary responsibility of any government is to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of its citizens. In recent years, growing public concern regarding law and order has highlighted the need for stronger administrative measures, better verification systems, and greater accountability. This was disclosed by Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of the North American Punjabi Association(NAPA)
He said after a murder of sikh young man near Mohali the Punjab Government must take timely and decisive steps to strengthen public safety. I urge the Government to introduce a Punjab State Resident Protection Bill in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, aimed at establishing a transparent and legally sound framework for the registration and verification of long-term residents, improving policing, and protecting the interests of the people of Punjab.
Several states, including Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, have enacted laws governing matters such as land ownership, tenancy, and residence to safeguard local interests within the constitutional framework. Punjab should also examine similar legal mechanisms that are consistent with the Constitution of India and suited to the state’s unique social and economic circumstances.
The proposed legislation should focus on ensuring proper verification of long-term residents, preventing the misuse of forged identity documents, strengthening coordination between law enforcement agencies, and ensuring that individuals involved in criminal activities are identified and prosecuted swiftly, irrespective of their place of origin. Crime must be dealt with firmly and without discrimination, and every offender should face the full force of the law.
At the same time, it is important to emphasize that law-abiding citizens from any state who live and work in Punjab deserve fairness, dignity, and equal protection under the law. The objective of such legislation should be to strengthen governance, improve public safety, and enhance accountability—not to target any community or region.
Chahal appeal to all political parties to rise above political differences and support the introduction of the Punjab State Resident Protection Bill in the Punjab Legislative Assembly. A constructive and bipartisan discussion on this important issue will help ensure a safer, more secure, and better-governed Punjab for present and future generations.