Cong MLAs express displeasure over police functioning in state

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police has come under fire yet again from the Congress quarters with many legislators expressing their displeasure before chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, alleging interference from Akali Dal in the functioning of police.

During a lunch meeting hosted by the CM on Wednesday for an interaction with the MLAs from Bathinda, Faridkot, Mansa and Ferozepur, the issue was raised by the legislators.

“While raking up the issue, some of the leaders alleged that senior police officers were still getting directions from former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal,” said an MLA on the condition of anonymity.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, a minister said: “Since chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh is not directly involved in postings, senior cops are adjusting their favourites on the key posts. When a politician recommends an official, it becomes controversial.”

“But when he manages things through his sources in the department, it is deemed upright.” added the minister.

A Congress MLA cited an “example” of Ferozepur when a SAD leader sitting on a dharna against attack on Akali workers allegedly by the Congress, “with complete authority called up senior police officials and they were heard taking directions from Sukhbir”.

Another MLA cited example of deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Rampura Phull Gurjit Singh Romana, who had worked closely with former minister Sikander Singh Malooka. “When Congress formed the government, Romana was transferred as DSP Bhucho.

Later, he was transferred as DSP (City) Bathinda in the third list of transfers, when a few Congress MLAs raised the issue,” he said.

This is not the first delegation that has expressed resentment over police postings in the state.

“A few days back, I met former SAD MLA Sarabjit Singh Makkar in a function where he had come with an assistant sub-inspector and six commandoes of the Punjab Police,” said a Jalandhar MLA

“I called up additional director general of police (security), who forwarded my complaint to a senior official in Jalandhar Police Commissoinerate. Within five minutes, the senior officer called up Makkar to inform him about the complaint,” added the Jalandhar MLA.

A senior party leader rued, “Punjab Police Service officer Ravinderpal Singh Sandhu, who was assistant commissioner of police (Jalandhar West) during the SAD-BJP regime and had allegedly slapped cases against Sushil Rinku (now Congress MLA from West), was posted as SP Phagwara- a key posting,”