ASI’s murder: Punjab Police issue safety advisory for personnel

After ASI Joga Singh was recently shot dead by unidentified armed persons, the police have reportedly issued certain directions to cops coming to duty from other districts, including avoiding two-wheelers, and instead using public transport means or carpooling to come to duty.

The deceased cop was posted in the traffic wing of the Amritsar Police Commissionerate. He belonged to Ghaniya Ke Bangar in Gurdaspur district’s Batala.

He was going for his duty when he was shot dead at Majitha three days ago.

He was cremated at his native village on Wednesday. Officials from the Amritsar police, including Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, attended the cremation, and paid the tributes to the departed soul.

It has been learnt that, following the shocking incident, the Punjab Police has issued a series of precautionary instructions aimed at protecting police personnel, especially those commuting from distant areas to the city for duty.

Police sources said personnel had been advised not to travel in uniform after duty hours, and to avoid commuting alone, particularly on two-wheelers.

Instead, cops have been asked to wear civil clothes while travelling, use public transport wherever possible, and move in groups in private vehicles.

The advisory comes amid heightened security concerns following the targeted killing of the police officer, which has sounded an alarm within the department.

An obscure terror outfit, Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH), has claimed responsibility of the killing of three cops — two at Dorangla in Gurdaspur, and one at Majitha. A senior police official confirmed that precautionary instructions had been issued in view of the prevailing situation. Officials said personnel travelling alone from distant places had specifically been directed not to wear uniforms during transit, and to change into these only after reaching their place of deployment.

In case duty extends late into the night, staff have been asked to stay in police station barracks, Police Lines or rooms available at the Traffic Police Lines instead of returning home alone. Senior officials are likely to hold a meeting in the coming days to review security arrangements for personnel.