J&K Police chief’s village rejoices

GS Paul

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 7

Celebrations broke out at Dilbag Singh’s native village Kot Dharam Chand Khurd in Tarn Taran after he was appointed the police chief of Jammu and Kashmir.

Dilbag Singh, a 1987-batch IPS officer, took charge as the new Director General of Police in the Valley, besides holding the post of DG (Prisons).

Born in a humble family living in this nondescript village, Dilbag was a brilliant student throughout. He received his primary education at a government school in Kot Dharam Chand Khurd and completed matriculation from government high school at nearby Kot Dharam Chand Kalan village.

Later, he did his masters in political science (1983-1985) from GNDU, Amritsar.

GNDU’s Political Science professor Dr Kuldeep Singh said he was a self-made man. “I and Dr Gurnam Singh were his political science teachers. Though he wanted to do MPhil, we persuaded him to prepare for IPS. He had no godfather except grit and hard work. He is the first person in his family to get education,” he said.

Dilbag has served J&K in various capacities. Though Dilbag and his family moved to Jammu since his posting in the police, his father’s younger brother, Dheera Singh, lived in the ancestral house, which is under renovation these days.

Dheera Singh said Dilbag’s father Balbir Singh worked as ‘palledar’ (porter) at the local grain market to raise his four sons and a daughter. With tears of joys, he termed it as the happiest moment of his life.

“As Dilbag grew up, he lent a helping hand to his father to make their both ends meet. He also used to cultivate crop in the fields with his family members,” he said.

Former sarpanch Kulwant Singh, Veer Singh and Harbans Singh said Dilbag’s vision was distinct despite lack of exposure in this remote village. “It’s a great moment for all of us. We are so proud of him,” they said.

Gurbir Singh of the village said Dilbag’s achievement had set an example for the village youth.

(With inputs from Gurbaxpuri in Tarn Taran)