AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Slams Own Government Over Illicit Liquor Tragedy

• May 16, 2025

In a strong rebuke to his own party’s leadership, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh on Thursday accused the Punjab government of allowing the illicit liquor trade to thrive under its watch. The Amritsar (North) MLA and former IPS officer alleged that those involved in the illegal liquor business had effectively become “a part of the regime and are now running the show.”

“The mafia-police nexus has a free hand under this government,” Singh said, directly criticizing the administration following the recent spurious liquor tragedy in Amritsar, which has claimed 27 lives so far.

Calling the suspension of lower-level officials in the wake of the tragedy an “eyewash,” the AAP leader demanded that action be taken against senior officers, including those at the DIG level. He accused them of having “patronised” criminal networks even during their previous roles as district police chiefs.

Speaking to reporters in Bhangali village after meeting the families of victims, Singh drew parallels between the current tragedy and a similar incident in 2020 under the Congress regime. At that time, current Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had demanded that murder charges be filed against then CM Capt Amarinder Singh after 120 people died in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Batala due to toxic liquor. Singh challenged Mann to now "walk the talk," especially in light of another tragedy in March 2024, when 20 people died in Mann’s own district of Sangrur.

He also criticized the ongoing illegal trade of sand and liquor, stating, “Be it illicit liquor or sand trade, criminals continue to prosper.”

Calling for accountability and deeper reforms, Kunwar Vijay Pratap said he would request the Punjab Assembly Speaker to convene a special session to conduct a thorough discussion on the root causes of the problem.