Chandigarh / 29th, August.
The Sirsa MP, Former Union Cabinet Minister, General Secretary of All India Congress Committee and CWC Member Kumari Selja expressed serious concern over rising unemployment and the deteriorating law-and-order situation in Haryana, saying the twin challenges were creating an atmosphere of insecurity and uncertainty, particularly among the state’s youth.
In a statement, Kumari Selja said reports of murder, robbery, extortion, ransom demands and other criminal incidents were emerging regularly from different parts of Haryana. The growing confidence of criminals, she said, was making ordinary citizens and members of the business community feel increasingly insecure.
“The government must move beyond political statements and take immediate, effective measures to strengthen law and order and restore people’s confidence in their safety,” she said. Kumari Selja said concerns over law and order were not limited to Haryana, with questions also being raised in Uttar Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states. Serious incidents reported from Delhi also demanded accountability from the government, she said. Kumari Selja said the situation in Haryana was particularly worrying because, besides reported cases of murder and ransom, complaints were emerging about people allegedly remaining silent even after receiving threats or ransom demands because of fear. The alleged trend of “silent extortion”, she said, should be treated as a serious warning by the government and police administration.
“If people are hesitant even to approach the police because of fear, it raises serious questions about the law-and-order and intelligence mechanisms,” Kumari Selja said, urging the government to strengthen intelligence networks and take decisive action against criminal groups.
The Congress leader also linked the state’s unemployment situation with growing social uncertainty. She said a large number of posts remained vacant in government departments, while recruitment processes were not moving at the required pace. Young people, she added, were being forced to wait for years while preparing for examinations and recruitment drives.
“Instead of providing permanent and dignified employment, promoting temporary and contractual arrangements is unfair to the future of Haryana’s youth,” she said. Kumari Selja stressed that recruitment should be transparent, time-bound and free from discrimination. Young people, she said, must receive equal opportunities for education, skills development and employment. She clarified that unemployment should not be simplistically equated with crime, as not every unemployed young person turns towards criminal activity. However, prolonged unemployment, economic insecurity and frustration can create adverse social conditions. Therefore, improving law and order and creating employment opportunities must go hand in hand, she said.
Kumari Selja questioned the government’s response at a time when citizens were worried about their safety, traders were allegedly facing threats and ransom demands, and young people were struggling to find employment. Kumari Selja demanded stronger police and intelligence mechanisms, strict action against organised crime and ransom networks, and adequate protection for citizens and traders willing to report threats. She also called for transparent and time-bound regular recruitment against vacant government posts. People now need concrete action on the ground, not announcements, Kumari Selja said, adding that Congress would continue to raise the issues of public safety, employment and social justice.
