Routine transfer or bid to end tussle between SSP, BJP MP?

The move is being seen as a bid to keep influence of the BJP MP and MLAs intact.

The Yogi government’s decision to transfer Saharanpur SSP Luv Kumar to Noida is being seen as an attempt to put an end to confrontation between the district police chief and local MP Raghav Lakhanpal.

A delegation of MPs from west Uttar Pradesh, led by union minister Sanjeev Baliyan, met chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday evening to discuss the issue.

They briefed the CM about the role of Lakhanpal and the local MLAs in inciting workers to take out a procession through a restricted route in Doodhli village to mark the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar.

When the BJP leaders took out the procession without the permission of the district administration, the local residents protested against it and pelted them with stones.

Later, a mob, led by MP Raghav Lakhanpal, barged into the residence of SSP Luv Kumar and went on the rampage to protest against attack on their procession.

The CM directed the district administration to take action against the culprits irrespective of their party affiliation. An FIR was lodged against the BJP MP, MLAs and their supporters.

Addressing media persons on Wednesday, IG, public grievance, Vijay Singh Meena said the police had arrested 16 people named in the FIR and attempts were on to nab other absconding accused.

Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav also demanded an inquiry into the incident and sent an investigating team of the Samajwadi Party leaders to Saharanpur on Wednesday.

The residents of Saharanpur, however, believe that the SSP was transferred to keep political influence of the ruling party’s MP and MLAs intact.

Appreciating the work of the SSP, shahr qazi Nadeem said Luv Kumar was made the scapegoat due to political compulsions. “He had to be transferred otherwise it would have been a defeat of political leaders which they would not have been able to digest,” he said.

City-based entrepreneur Shishir Joshi said the SSP was transferred under political pressure.

“The SSP had earned the reputation of an honest and upright officer during his stint here,” he said.

Jaswinder Singh, a businessman, said the name of Luv Kumar was included in the list to project it as a routine transfer but people could see the truth.

Criticising the decision of the Yogi government, district president of the Samajwadi Party Jagpal Das said the move would demoralise honest officers. He said the government had succumbed to the pressure of the BJP MPs and MLAs.