1,600 cops pulled out of security duty to maintain law and order
CHANDIGARH:WITH a view to maintaining law and order on the ground amid the ongoing lockdown imposed in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the Punjab Police on Thursday withdrew nearly 1,300 personnel on security duty
The decision was taken on the directions of the chief minister to provide relief to nearly 44,500 police personnel performing field duties over several days.
In the first phase, security of district and sessions court judges, IAS officers, senior police officers, retired cops and bureaucrats and some politicians have been pulled out.
The personnel deployed with the MLAS, MPS and ministers have not been touched as per the list of 162 protectees whose security was pruned. However, a government spokesperson said a significant number of personnel from chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s security were withdrawn to fight the Covid-19 threat, an official said.
Nearly 7,000 cops are still deployed to guard VIPS in the state.
Among the 161 persons, whose security was pruned, are former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal (2 of 30), Markfed chairman Amarjit Singh Samra (2 of 6), Punjab Mandi Board chairman Lal Singh (2 of 9), Punsup chairman Tejinder Bittu (2 of 6), Amritsar mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu (2 of 4), former Congress ministers Avtar Singh Henry (2 of 4), Mohinder Singh Kay Pee (2 of 4), Hari Singh Zira (1 of 3); Akali leaders Jagmeet Singh Brar (2 of 4), Prem Singh Chandumajra (2 of 4), Adesh Partap Kairon (2 of 12), Charanjit Singh Atwal (2 of 8), Maheshinder Grewal (1 of 3), Sikander Singh Maluka (2 of 4) and Surjit Singh Rakhra (2 out of 4).
Also on the list are Amritsar district and sessions judge Balwinder Singh (2 out 10), Patiala district and sessions judge Rajinder Aggarwal (2 of 10) and Fazilka Patiala district and sessions judge Tarsem Mangla (2 of 10).
Others are Jalandhar divisional commissioner B Purushartha (3 of 11), Patiala divisional commissioner Deepender Singh (3 of 10) and Pathankot deputy commissioner Gurpreet Singh Khaira (1 of 11).
Also on the list of those whose
security was trimmmed are retired IAS officer NS Kalsi, now chairman of Punjab Police Complaints Authority (2 out of 10), former IPS officer Rajinder Singh (2 of 13), ex-dgp-rank officer Sanjiv Gupta (2 of 12), retired IAS officer SK Sandhu (2 of 4), EX-DIG Amarjit Singh Chahal (2 of 9), former IG Lok Nath Angra (1 of 5), EX-DGP Paramjit Singh Gill (1 of 6) and retired IPS officer Jasminder Singh (1 of 8).
The spokesperson quoted director general of police (DGP)
Dinkar Gupta saying further withdrawal would be made after evaluation of threat . “More security personnel from district cadre and armed battalions will be withdrawn and put in reserve. Extensive mobilisation of the force has been planned in a phased manner,” he said. The exercise has again exposed how certain people continue to enjoy police cover despite Amarinderled government’s repeated claims about ending VIP culture in the state.
The list also has names of retired cops who have up to 10 gunmen.
FAKE REPORTS ARE BEING SPREAD ABOUT 70-YEAR-OLD BALDEV SINGH, PUNJAB’S FIRST COVID-19 VICTIM, THAT HE CONCEALED HIS INFECTION