CHANDIGARH: Mr K‘S. Janjua, Commissioner Jalandhar division is understood to have found the complaints of police excesses made by sarpanches and panches of Batala police district to be correct.
Mr. Sarabjit Singh, DIG (border range), however has reportedly concluded that there was no evidence to substantiate the complaints. He has given a clear chit to Mr. Gobind Ram SSP, Batala police district.
Both the officers were asked by the Governor, Mr. SS. Ray to hold an inquiry into the charges of police excess made by over 40 panchayats of the area which had earlier submitted their resignations over the issue. The announcement ordering an inquiry was made by Mr. Ray at a Lok Shakti Sangam held at Shankarpura village in Gurdaspur district on February.
- He had deputed Mr. Sarabjit Singh for the purpose. Next day, however, he also asked Mr. Janjua to hold a separate inquiry. Both the officers submitted their reports to the Governor last week.
The reports which are being kept secret are being studied by Mr. Ray. An indication of the action that be might take on the issue is expected within a week.
Mr. Janjua is said to have stated in his report that to get information from the people the police had resorted to harassment and excesses, He was also told that after they had complained to the Governor many sarpanches and panches were pressurized by the police not to pursue the matter.
It is not yet known if the two officers had also dealt with the allegation of corruption and extortion of money by the police, and if so what their conclusions are.
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