Frequent police commissioner transfers disrupt law and order in Amritsar

The city of Amritsar is facing a crisis in its law enforcement leadership, with the sixth police commissioner, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, taking charge in just two-and-a-half years. This frequent changing of the guard has taken a toll on law and order, leading to a rise in petty crimes like snatching, looting, and robberies.

Bhullar’s appointment comes after his abrupt transfer as IG provisioning just three-and-a-half months ago. Previously, he served as Amritsar police commissioner in November 2023, preceded by ADGP Naunihal Singh in April 2023, IG Jaskaran Singh in November 2022, and IG Arun Pal Singh in April 2022.

Local resident and retired banker Anil Vinayak expressed concerns about the impact of these frequent transfers on the city’s law and order. “Changing the police commissioner every few months undermines the effectiveness of the police commissionerate system,” he said. Human rights activist and lawyer Sarabjit Singh Verka added that the constant changes demoralise the police force, making it challenging for officers to understand the city’s issues and implement solutions.

Newly appointed Commissioner Bhullar has pledged to prioritise crime prevention and detection, increase police visibility, and take a zero-tolerance stance against gangsters and drug peddlers. He has also sought public cooperation to address these issues.