SHO transferred to defuse public anger over attack on Gagneja
JALANDHAR: With an attempt to kill Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leader Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retd) peaking the crime wave in the heart of this city, police took their first action on Friday to defuse public anger.
They are forced to bench station house officer (SHO) concerned Paramjeet Singh by transferring him to Police Lines. In two months, two daylight murders, a murderous attack, and regular demonstrations against cops have happened around police station-4. “This jurisdiction is most sensitive,” said a senior police officer. “The transfer of the SHO is a good but a delayed step. We need regular interrogation of history-sheeters and bailed-out criminals.”
Police station-4 serves Jalandhar’s key areas of Rainak Bazaar, Civil Hospital, Saidan Gate, Milap Chowk, Phagwara Gate, Jyoti Chowk to Nakodar Chowk, Doordarshan Kendra, Skylark Chowk to Guru Nanak Mission Chowk, Gymkhana Club, Old Baradari locality, Civil Lines, Dilkusha Market, and Company Bagh Chowk to BMC Chowk. Paramjeet Singh joined here on March 6 last year. Inspector Kulwant Singh, his replacement from police station-3, has served here in the past.
The spot where motorcycleborne men shot at the RSS leader on August 6 is near the Red Cross Market and a few meters from a permanent police checkpoint at Jyoti Chowk. Police station-4 is a few steps further.
On July 21, car-borne gunmen killed Surajganj locality’s Rimple Kanojia (26) near Dhobi Ghat in full public view. Two days on, police arrested property dealer Gagan Sidana of the BSF Colony, Sumit Nayyar ‘Bawa’ of Basti Guzan, Amit Kumar Goldy of Gulab Devi Road among the accused. On August 23, Kanojia’s family opposed the police clean chit to three accused.
On June 3, when two men gunned down money exchanger Anil Kumar Billa in his Toyota Fortuner car near Company Bagh Chowk in full public view, police were taking out a flag march in the area to restore public confidence in the force.
On August 18, the suicide of Vikrant Shoor (40) of Ganga Apartments over alleged police inaction against four tormentors forced people to block traffic on the Old GT Road by protesting outside police station-4. “We need more patrolling and security cameras in the police-station-4 areas,” said Pooja Kannojia, who lives near Red Cross Market. “We need better policing.”