ADGP to examine cases of police highhandedness

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 28

Having faced criticism over the recent incidents of police highhandedness on agitating students and unionists, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal today said he had asked ADGP (Law and Order) to examine all three cases and take action accordingly.

Sukhbir, who was here in connection with Ram Navami celebrations, said this while responding to media queries pertaining to the incidents of lathicharge on SC students at Nawanshahr on Wednesda; on NRHM workers at Lambi on Tuesday; and the illegal detention that led to miscarriage of an education service provider ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s visit on Monday. Sukhbir said, “I have told the DGP to be very firm on the matter and take action against all those policemen who went beyond their limits.”

Referring to the incidents of preventing unionists from creating a hue and cry on roads, Sukhbir said, “The police tackle protests on a daily basis, but they are not supposed to cross their legal limits while doing so.” Asked as to what action was likely, he said, “It will depend on the ADGP’s report.”

The Jalandhar city police, however, have already formed an SIT to investigate whether the miscarriage occurred due to detention. DCP Rajinder Singh said ADCP Harpreet Singh Mander, ACP Ravinder Pal S Sandhu and ACP Amneet Kondal were investigating the case. A medical board has also been formed to probe the matter, he said.

Over former CM Amarinder Singh’s statement two days ago holding him responsible for pushing Punjab into bankruptcy and drug addiction, he said, “Where is Amarinder? He must be sitting on mountain peaks to get a clearer view of things and issuing statements from there.”

Union Minister of State Vijay Sampla, PPCC president Partap Bajwa and BJP state president Kamal Sharma were among those present for the Ram Navami shobha yatra.