Congress leader Kumari Selja addresses concerns over Haryana’s law-and-order situation and the Hansi murder case
Congress leader Selja says incidents from Hisar and Hansi to Ambala raise serious concerns; urges government to ensure justice for victims and avoid confrontation with peaceful protesters
CHANDIGARH/POD DESK
Sirsa MP, former Union Minister, Congress General Secretary and CWC member Kumari Selja has expressed concern over the law-and-order situation in Haryana, saying that criminal incidents being reported from Hisar, Hansi and Ambala are a matter of serious concern. She said the foremost responsibility of any government was to ensure the safety and security of citizens, take strict action against those involved in criminal activities in accordance with law and ensure timely justice to victims.
In a statement issued to the media, Selja said the state government must take concrete and effective measures to strengthen law and order and restore public confidence in the administration.
She said the situation becomes even more concerning when people who raise their voices peacefully for their rights and justice are met with the use of police force instead of dialogue. While no one should be allowed to take the law into their own hands, she said the administration also has a responsibility to exercise restraint and make every possible effort to resolve disputes through communication.
“Lathi-charge, stone-pelting and the registration of cases against large numbers of people cannot provide a permanent solution to any problem,” Selja said, adding that such circumstances could instead deepen public resentment and widen the gap between citizens and the administration.
Referring specifically to the Jeevan Kundu murder case in Hansi, Selja described the incident as extremely serious and tragic. She said the victim’s family had been continuously demanding justice and that although some arrests had been made in the case, the fact that the alleged main accused remained outside police custody had naturally increased concern among the family members and local residents.
Selja said that before the Chief Minister’s visit to Hansi, the police administration should have made every possible legal effort to secure the arrest of the main accused. Such action, she said, would have helped strengthen the confidence of the victim’s family in the justice system.
According to Selja, the fundamental responsibility of the government and police administration is to apprehend criminals and provide justice and security to victims. If a situation develops in which people demanding justice themselves come into confrontation with the administration, it raises questions about the functioning of law and order.
She said democratic institutions must respect the right of citizens to raise their concerns peacefully. The government and administration, she added, should listen to such grievances and seek solutions within the framework of law.
Selja also stressed that criminal incidents in Haryana should not be viewed through a political lens. Action must be based on facts and evidence, irrespective of the identity, political affiliation or influence of the accused.
“If a person has committed a crime, action should be taken against that person according to law, regardless of who the individual is or whom they are associated with,” she said.
The Congress leader also called for an impartial inquiry into incidents that occurred during protests. She said a transparent investigation was necessary to establish the facts and ensure that no innocent person was subjected to injustice.
She further criticised what she described as a tendency to deal with public grievances through confrontation rather than dialogue. According to her, the government should avoid a policy of confrontation and suppression and instead adopt an approach based on communication, sensitivity and justice.
Selja said the administration must understand the circumstances that lead people to protest and should attempt to address legitimate grievances through peaceful discussions. She maintained that maintaining public order did not merely mean controlling protests but also creating an environment in which citizens felt that their concerns were being heard.
The Congress leader demanded the immediate arrest of the main accused and all other persons found responsible in the Jeevan Kundu murder case. She also called for adequate security and justice for the victim’s family and sought impartial and transparent action throughout the case.
She said the government must ensure that criminal cases are handled without political interference and that victims and their families are not forced to repeatedly approach the administration in search of justice.
Selja said that public confidence in the police and administration could be strengthened only when citizens saw that the law was being applied fairly and consistently. She added that the government should ensure that investigations are conducted professionally and that those responsible for serious offences face appropriate legal consequences.
She also urged the administration to maintain restraint while dealing with public demonstrations. Peaceful protesters, she said, should be heard rather than immediately confronted, while any unlawful activity should be dealt with strictly but strictly within the framework of law.
According to Selja, Haryana’s law-and-order situation requires a proactive response rather than reaction after incidents have already occurred. The government should strengthen policing, improve responsiveness to complaints and ensure that victims receive timely assistance.
She said citizens must have the confidence that approaching the police or administration would result in protection and justice rather than further complications.
Selja reiterated that the Hansi murder case and other criminal incidents from Hisar to Ambala should be treated with seriousness and sensitivity. She said the government must demonstrate through action that the safety of citizens remains its highest priority.
She appealed to the state government to ensure justice for the family of Jeevan Kundu, arrest all those found guilty in the case and conduct a fair investigation into the incidents surrounding the protests.
“The rule of law and peace in Haryana can be strengthened only when ordinary citizens have the confidence that the government and administration are fully accountable for their rights, safety and security,” Selja said.
