CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government is planning new measures to counter militancy in areas witnessing escalated activities.

One of the measures being contemplated is to create new police district of Zira in Ferozepur district. Over a year ago, the Government had created three police districts Majitha and Tarn Taran in Amritsar district and Batala in Gurdaspur district

Although Makhu area of Ferozepur district was even earlier considered one of the worst affected areas, it is only recently that the entire Zira belt has started witnessing stepped-up activity by freedom fighters.

The Government had already planned to set up special police control rooms at Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Ferozepur Bhatinda is now being added to the list. To be set up on the lines of the recently opened police control room at Amritsar, the proposed control rooms are aimed at reducing the time of police “reaction “by organizing intensive and extensive patrolling by the security forces.

Apart from the killings what seems to be worrying the Government is the increase in attacks on security forces’ personnel freedom fighters have now started using landmines. It is admitted that the objective behind such attacks is to demoralize and paralyze the state machinery. That their strategy is having its effect is indicated by the fact that out-of-turn promotions are being contemplated for the police officers who are ready to be posted in worst hit areas. It is difficult to find a cop willing to work anywhere in Punjab

Meanwhile, the Government is understood to have kept in abeyance the release of about 150 people whose cases were reviewed along with hundreds of other detainees who had allegedly committed “minor crimes’. In all, the Government has so far reviewed the cases of over 1,400 detainees. Of them, about 600 have been released, while most of the others are already on bail. Though the 150 detainees were said to have been charged with minor crimes, they are suspected to be close to freedom fighters.

The government does not appear to have detailed information as to how many of those, released have joined militant ranks.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 9, 1990