By Satnam Singh Chahal
Punjab today faces an undeniable crisis: crimes committed by some immigrant and non-local workers have shaken the faith of ordinary families. From thefts and assaults to horrifying cases of violence against children, the headlines show a troubling pattern. Whenever such incidents occur, public anger is justified. But we must also be honest: while the criminals are fully responsible for their misdeeds, many Punjabis themselves share responsibility because of how these situations are allowed to develop.
When Trust Turns into Betrayal
Too often, households and employers bring in strangers without proper checks, give them full access to their homes and families, and even share personal secrets. A worker who knows when your children return from school, which family members live alone, and what valuables are inside the house can easily turn into a threat if he carries bad intentions. By leaving families at the mercy of unknown workers, many locals unintentionally expose themselves to danger. Negligence, in this sense, becomes an open invitation for crime.
Recent Cases that Shook Punjab
The Hoshiarpur case remains the darkest reminder: a migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh was arrested for the horrific rape and murder of a 5-year-old girl. The child’s family had trusted the presence of outsiders in their neighborhood, but that trust was betrayed in the worst possible way.
In Ludhiana, police arrested a group of migrants from Bihar who were running a burglary racket. They had carefully studied the families who employed them as laborers, noting when households would be empty, and then carried out organized thefts.
Amritsar too witnessed cases where outsiders, after being employed as domestic helpers and farmhands, later committed violent robberies against the very families who gave them shelter. Each time, the pattern was the same: complete knowledge of the family’s movements and vulnerabilities, followed by exploitation of that information for crime.
What Panchayats and Leaders are Saying
The shock from these crimes has forced local governance bodies into action. As Baljit Singh, Sarpanch of Gehari Bhagi village in Bathinda, said: “We want villagers to remain safe. We are hurt by the incident in Hoshiarpur, where a migrant was arrested for the killing of a five-year-old boy.” This reflects the deep fear gripping rural Punjab after such crimes.
In Hoshiarpur’s Bajwara area, Sarpanch Rajesh Kumar ‘Bobby’ Mahe took a firm stand: “Migrants without valid identity documents have been asked to vacate the villages.” He clarified that workers staying on rent could remain only if their landlords gave a written undertaking to the panchayat.
Adding to this sentiment, Charanjit Singh, a local panchayat member, stated: “There is unity among villages across communities and castes on this issue.” Clearly, this is not just a single-village reaction but a collective movement, with panchayats across districts coordinating to demand stricter controls.
At the state level, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged balance. He cautioned against blanket discrimination, saying: “Tomorrow, Punjabis with businesses in Raipur or Kolkata could be targeted the same way.” His message was clear: while safety is non-negotiable, Punjab must not normalize prejudice against all migrants.
Systemic Failures and Needed Reforms
The real problem lies in the absence of systems. Workers are hired without written contracts, housed in unregulated places, and rarely registered with local authorities. Panchayats across Punjab have passed resolutions against unchecked settlement of outsiders, a clear sign of how deep the fear runs. But blanket bans or hateful slogans cannot be the answer. What is needed is a balanced framework that protects locals, keeps track of who is living in which village, and holds employers accountable for those they bring in.
Steps Forward
Mandatory written contracts for hiring outside workers.
Village-level registration so that authorities know exactly who is residing where.
Employer accountability, with fines or even criminal liability for sheltering undocumented workers.
Family awareness campaigns, urging people not to reveal sensitive details about their routines, wealth, or vulnerabilities to strangers.
Swift justice for those who commit crimes, without political or administrative delay.
The Way Ahead
Punjab cannot afford to become a state where crime is allowed to hide behind ignorance and weak governance. Criminal immigrants must be punished; negligent households must learn responsibility; and the government must create strong systems to prevent such incidents. Only then will families feel safe again, and only then will Punjab truly honor the trust its people place in their institutions.