DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Condemning the recent decision of NDA government to implement 'Agnipath' scheme in the Indian Army as a retrogressive step, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday asked the Union government to immediately roll back its decision in the larger interest of the country and its youth. "After agriculture (Kisaani) it is a serious attack on the youth (jawani) which is unwarranted and undesirable. It is a huge loss for Punjabi youth who are ever ready to serve their motherland by joining the Army" said the Chief Minister while condemning this move of the NDA government led by BJP. The Chief Minister said that it reflects the sorry state of affairs in the country as the party in power is recklessly running the country without bothering about its youth. He said that this mindless decision has put the country on boil as the youth of the country have came on roads to protest against this irresponsible move of the centre. Bhagwant Mann said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) vehemently opposes this move which deprives the youth of the opportunity to serve the country throughout the life and rendering them useless after service of mere four years. The Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that the Union government has not employed even a single youth in the Army during last two years. He said that now through this 'Agnipath' move the Centre is allowing a youth to serve the Army merely for four years and that too without pension. Bhagwant Mann said that this is sheer humiliation of the Indian Army which has a glorious heritage of serving the country with valour, sacrifice and selfless service. The Chief Minister said that the Union government has backstabbed the youth of the country through this move. He said that anger prevailing amongst the youth is result of this senseless move of the Union government. Bhagwant Mann impressed upon the Union government to immediately roll back this decision in the larger interest of the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the county. Previous regimes in Punjab patronised criminals, fostered mafia: Bhagwant Mann Dirba Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday lashed out at the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal for allegedly patronising "notorious criminals" and "mafia" during their regimes. He vowed to make Punjab a "gangster-free land" and make the state prosperous in the coming days. Mann, who was addressing a roadshow here in favour of his party candidate for the next week's Sangrur Lok Sabha bypolls, said that those who are responsible for introducing gangster culture in the state are today making hue and cry over it. Asserting that the pen is mightier than the sword, CM Mann said, "Just like we worship the God before eating meals, I bow down to my pen every morning to ensure that every decision is taken for the welfare of people, who have made me the CM." Mann said that everyone knows that previous governments in the state had allegedly patronised the gangsters and used them for fulfilling their political interests. "I haven't brought gangsters with me but I assure you that I will make the state a gangster-free land," he said. CM Mann said that opposition leaders have been alarmed by the government's action against corruption and the mafia, with many are now afraid of going to jail. He said that opposition parties are not able to digest the work done by the "pro-people AAP government." He claimed that works which were not done in 75 years have been accomplished in first three months of the AAP government in the state. "People of Sangrur showered love on me and made me the CM of Punjab. I am the voice of people and each action is meant for the development of the state," he said while thanking the people for electing 92 AAP MLAs, giving the party a thumping majority. Canvassing for AAP candidate Gurmail Singh for the Sangrur Lok Sabha by-poll for the second consecutive day, Mann held road shows in Dirba, Khanauri, Lehra, Chhajli, Jakhepal, Cheema, Longowal, and Sunam areas and appealed to people to elect Gurmail Singh from the constituency. The June 23 bypoll will be AAP's first major electoral battle after it formed the government in Punjab. Sangrur Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Bhagwant Mann contested and won from Dhuri assembly segment in the 2022 assembly elections. Gurmail Singh is the AAp's Sangrur district in-charge, while the Congress has placed its bet on former Dhuri MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy. The BJP has fielded former Barnala MLA Kewal Dhillon./ DW bureau / (editor@dailyworld.in)