Punjab, a state historically admired for its prosperity and resilience, is currently grappling with a profound internal security emergency. The threat no longer stems from traditional militancy but from a sprawling, sophisticated network of criminal gangs. These groups are deeply involved in narcotics trafficking, extortion, targeted killings, and operate through transnational shooter networks with bases in countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, and parts of Europe and the Gulf.
The New Jungle Raj: Punjab's Glamourised Gang Culture
The operational landscape is dominated by notorious figures such as Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, Vicky Gounder, and Dilpreet Singh, among others. They command over a hundred smaller shooter groups, many operating brazenly from within jails. This ecosystem has created a violent, well-networked gang culture that is far more advanced than the cinematic portrayal in Gangs of Wasseypur.
Alarmingly, crime in Punjab has been normalized and even glamorized. Social media videos, gang-affiliated music, and cross-border digital networks have transformed the image of the 'shooter' into a seductive cultural archetype. Facing an agrarian crisis and unemployment, many young people are drawn to this stylized world of violence, fame, and patronage from the diaspora.
Bihar's Blueprint: From Lawless to Lawful
In this bleak scenario, the remarkable transformation of Bihar in the early 2000s offers a compelling case study. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who made law and order the centerpiece of his governance, Bihar shed its reputation as a state synonymous with mafia rule, kidnapping rackets, and caste militias like the Ranvir Sena.
A central figure in this turnaround was IPS officer Abhayanand. The strategy rested on several key pillars:
- Speedy Trials and Fast-Track Courts: The state institutionalized fast-track courts that processed thousands of cases with unmatched efficiency. Between January 2006 and August 2010, this system led to the conviction of over 50,000 criminals, including several bahubali politicians, dismantling long-standing impunity.
- Police Professionalisation: Abhayanand, who later became Bihar's DGP, focused on recruiting and professionalizing the constabulary. To address acute manpower shortages, former Army personnel were hired as Special Auxiliary Police (SAP). This disciplined force was crucial in confronting organized gangs and insurgents.
- Gender Justice in Policing: A pioneering move was the recruitment of over 35,000 women constables through job quotas. By mid-2025, women constituted approximately 28.5% of Bihar's police force, an unprecedented development in India.
This transformation was not merely administrative but cultural, laying the foundation for Bihar's development-oriented public imagination.
Punjab's Path Forward: A Multi-Pronged Strategy
Punjab's challenge is undeniably complex, interwoven with technology, diaspora links, and a glamorized narrative of crime. However, the core lesson from Bihar holds true: no state can defeat organized crime without recalibrating governance. Military-style operations are not the answer. Instead, a sustained, multi-layered strategy is required.
The foremost priority is dismantling the narco-terror network that connects domestic gangs with international traffickers. This demands seamless coordination between central agencies like the NIA, Narcotics Control Bureau, and Intelligence Bureau, along with paramilitary forces on the border.
Emulating Bihar's success, Punjab must urgently establish fast-track courts and coordinated prosecution to disrupt gang cohesion and restore faith in the justice system. Most critically, the state must restore the moral authority of the Punjab Police by tackling deep-rooted corruption, enforcing transparency, and rebuilding the civic trust that was eroded during the militancy period.
Global examples from Latin America, such as Colombia's intelligence-driven approach against cartels, further underscore that lasting success depends on community trust, robust intelligence systems, credible judicial processes, and unwavering political support. For a besieged Punjab, looking east to Bihar's playbook might be the first step towards reclaiming its peace and prosperity.
