“The Akali goons are roaming freely even after committing heinous crimes as they are under political patronage and the police are not initiating any action against them,” said Union Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur on Sunday, on her visit to Nabha this morning.

Lambasting the state police for its failure to ensure safety of civilians, Kaur said the law and order situation in the state has deteriorated immensely.

“I am ashamed at the Punjab Police for their partisan role in protecting the Akali goons,” said Kaur.

Pointing out that at least six murders reported from Nabha in the past three months are yet to be solved, Kaur said police investigations, in most cases, are drawing a blank.

Referring to the suicide committed by one Rajinder Kaur for the alleged high-handedness of a close aide of Patiala Mayor Ajitpal Singh Kohli, the minister sought action against the guilty.

“The goons of the ruling SAD have created havoc in the state, as a result of which helpless residents are committing suicide,” added Kaur.