Himachal CM examines probe report, says heads will roll

SHIMLA : A day after Shimla divisional commissioner submitted the magisterial probe report, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram said “heads will roll’ and action will be taken against erring cops after the report is examined. “The report has pointed lapses on part of the police. Action will follow after examining the report,” said CM Thakur.

He added, “It will take another two to three days to take action. Guilty will not be spared and innocent will not be touched.”

He added that it was the duty of police to protect the assistant town planner. “It has come to my notice that police staff on duty was ill-equipped, responsibility will be fixed on those in charge for the duties,” Thakur said.

He said as he reviewed working of the home department, he told police officials that law and order in the state should be maintained at all cost and incidents like Kasuali should not be repeated.

Shimla DC Dinesh Malhotra had on Thursday submitted a 133page report to additional chief secretary, home, BK Aggarwal that was later sent to the CM.

The report had pointed out that the team of officers, led by Shail Bala Sharma, was assisted by 14 cops, including two personnel from the quick response team. It mentioned that SHO and other 14 cops were unarmed and were only carrying sticks and shields. Two cops assisting the team had AK-47, but did not fire at the hotel owner.