He stood by his men, say former colleagues

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 26

Former colleagues remembered KPS Gill as a counter-terror specialist who led from the front and stood by his men through thick and thin.

Some of his close aides and friends, who had worked him during the days of militancy in Punjab, said he was relieved that peace had returned to Punjab, but was worried about the spread of global terrorism, the worsening Kashmir situation and the killings by Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

Ex-DGP RK Gupta said, “He deftly handled the controversies on police tactics. He reasoned that some decisions in the field had to be taken on the spur of the moment. However, he was disillusioned over the lack of discipline in the force these days.”

“He was a hard taskmaster, but gave us freedom. He always said a few decisions can go either way, but we should remain focused on eliminating the terrorists,” Gupta said. Former DGP Rajinder Singh, who met him about a month ago, said Gill was happy with the change of guard in Punjab and had appreciated that the public did not encourage Khalistani elements.

“His greatest worry was that terrorism had become a global phenomenon, where new and more dangerous methods were being employed, but he was content that peace prevailed in Punjab,” Rajinder added.

“He advised the new Punjab Chief Minister (Capt Amarinder Singh) to focus on peace and development,” the ex-DGP said. “Gill believed that both could not exist without each other. According to him, the absence of development gave rise to terrorism.”

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Former DGP SS Virk, who had also worked with him, recalled Gill as the go-to man for security operations. “He gave officers freedom to produce results. He was large-hearted and forgiving,” said Virk. He added that top police officers used to seek Gill’s advice even after his retirement.