WSN Service
CHANDIGARH: Surinder Nath, a former police officer, becomes Punjab’s new Governor. He replaces the State’s military Governor General O.P. Malhotra.
Nath’s appointment has been made after several important persons were approached for the post. Most of them declined the offer. They include former home secretary R.D. Pradhan who is closely related to the slain Indian General Vaidya whom militants killed for his investigation in operation “Bluestar”,. Vasant Sathe, a Congress (I) politician was another person mentioned in this connection. Yet another prospective candidate was former military General P. Hoon but he too declined the offer.
Nath’s appointment follows a pattern evolved by the Indian govt in dealing with minority regions. Thus most parts of the north-east are governed by either serving or retired military or police officers. So is Jammu and Kashmir which has a former RAW officer as its governor. It is for the first time that a former police officer occupies the post of governor.
Nath will be assisted by R.P. Ojha, a Punjabi Brahman, who is also closely related to Nath. The latter’s son is married to Ojha’s daughter.
There is proposal to appoint K.P.S.Gill as governor’s advisor. He will also continue as Director General of C.R.P.F.
While Nath is not much known for his administrative skills, he will be an asset to New Delhi for maintaining a proper coordination with Central intelligence and security agencies further step up operations against Sikh militants fighting for Khalistan.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 9, 1991
