FAROOQUI’S TRANSFER BECOMES TALK OF THE TOWN
The transfer of inspector general (IG), Bathinda Range,
MF Farooqui to Punjab Armed Police (PAP-II), Jalandhar, last week has become the talk of the town. The shifting came days after two station house officers (SHO), considered close to leaders of the ruling Congress and some senior officers, were suspended following complaints. One of them, who was in-charge of Crime Investigation Agency-i, got placed under suspension along with three of his subordinates last week on a complaint to the IG that innocent persons were framed in a drug case and money was taken in another case. The SHO, Rama police station, was suspended after residents complained that police were not acting on their complaints against drug peddlers. Farooqui was posted in Bathinda range in April last year and his transfer has set tongues wagging. Ashirwad Yatra went viral. The CM was seen rebuking former Haryana Staff Selection Commission member Harsh Mohan Bhardwaj for trying to put a silver-coloured coronet on his (Khattar’s) head. A furious CM with an axe in his hand snapped back at Bhardwaj: “Gardan kaat doonga teri (I will chop off your neck).” The video set off instant criticism with the opposition Congress lambasting the chief minister for his arrogance. Khattar later clarified that he was averse to the politics of show off and feels bad when someone tries to ornate him with gold or silver. He also attacked the Congress leaders, accusing them of encouraging such show offs during their rule.