by: Sarjit Singh, Ph.D. Professor of Economics (Retd) Clarion University of Pennsylvania
“The law is replaced by the will of the Minister, and indeed often by the will of the MLAS…the Chief Minister has used the police force as his own private army virtually converting it into a gang of outlaws committing murder and rapine.
K.P.S.Gill, the director general of police in Punjab boasts that he has worked himself out of the job by eliminating virtually all those he loves to call terrorists, militants, extremists. Perhaps to reassure his audience and also being at the threshold of retirement age, he says that he plans to retire within the state. Rumors are also afloat that he is seeking his predecessor’s job. J.F. Ribeiro was replaced by Gill when the former retired as director general of Punjab police and was appointed Indian ambassador to Rumania as a parting gift for his loyalty in carrying out a “bullet for bullet” policy. Both of them serve a ‘system in which justices swindle, the prime ministers set them up as patrons of sleaziness, politicians and criminals re verse their roles to make bundles in partnership with the senior bureaucrats, and the police chiefs. What are Gill’s accomplishment? Here is a peak at the “tip of the iceberg”.
As a person, Gill is described to be “generally withdrawn” but “tums boisterous aftera few drinks and has been reputed both in Assam and Punjab for his embarrassing behavior towards women at parties.” In Punjab, he repeated his performance. Ata private party of senior civil, police officials and joumalists he joined the gathering of women officials sitting in a comer and pulled the chair of one of the guests (Mrs.Bajaj, a senior public official) too close to his own. Embarrassed, she pulled back. After he did it again, Mrs. Bajaj left him, scolding. “The police chief followed her and stood inconveniently close to her. Pointing his finger menacingly, he ordered her to accompany him, says Bajaj. He repeated his command you get up immediately and come with me at least thrice. As the situation tumid messier, Bajaj got up from her chair and Gill stunned everyone by bending to slap her on her bottom.” Humiliated, Bajaj lodged a complaint with the with higher authonties including GovemorS.S. Ray who remarked that “Gill is fighting against terrorism and Iet us not dislodge him,” Bajaj filed a FIR (first investigation report) with the police. Though Gill “initially pleaded innocent, he later agreed to apologize to Bajaj in the presence of J.F. Ribeiro and the Chief Secretary R.P. Ojha.” As a policeman, the evidence overwhelmingly points to Gill’s ruthlessness in using brute force, law or no law. Prior to his transfer to Punjab, he was a DIG (deputy inspector general?) of police in the north Easter state, Assam, where he was tried for murder, “As DIG of Assam, Gill was charged with kicking an agitator to death, but was finally acquitted by the Delhi High Court.”
Punjab provided him an ample opportunity to practice his ‘marshal art.” During his tenure he tumid it into a police state. “There were 30,000 personnel in the Punjab police in 1987 (when Mr. K.P.S, Gill assumed the post). The same force has 63,000 personnel on duty . . . This is supplemented by around three corps of army men (a total peak time deployment of one lakh (100,000) men, 50,000 (or around 467 companies) from para military forces (PME), and 20,000 from Home Guards…The mounted machine guns on jeeps and one ton and three ton tuck are now normal sight.” The state has only 12000 villages.
Repression of the Sikhs has been deliberate. The physical task of it was left to the security forces. Chaman Lal, an inspector general of police (border) revealed for the record for the first time that “the security forces in the state indulged in deliberate repression of the common people. “I was told to let loose terror in the villages where terrorists gunned down seven train passengers’. He indicated that it was the Director General of Police (DGP), K.P.S. Gill who had issued these instructions.” “The security forces have to meet the target Set by their bosses, governor S,S. Ray and the police chief KP.S, Gill, who want to impress the rest of India that they are finishing off terrorists.” The chairman, Interactional Human Rights Organization describes the methods used by the security forces.
“There has been no rule of law in Punjab since 1984. The police is the law. There have been cages where the security forces have actually shot at the court officials who went to get the release of persons detained illegally by the police, Exira judicial killings have become a wry of life with the police and other security forces, Indescribable methods of torture have ben put in to practice…Secret government death squads are operating in Punjab for assassination of certain marked Sikh youth, The so called counterterrorist Santokh Singh Kala had himself boasted of his mission being blessed by none other than then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the then DGP, Punjab JF_ Ribeiro… Apart from these state sponsored gangs, there are other individual gangs which are aclively indulging in violent activiliesincluding molestation and rape of Sikh girls and women in villages in the garb of militants, An eye witness account revealed (hat policemen posed as militants kid= napped Dharam Singh, an industrialist to extort money in BataIa. Another serious concern of the people of Punjab is over ‘disappearance’ at the hands of police”.
If confirmation was needed, it came from U.2 ruling party itself. The government has received reports from intelligence agencies.
.. (Saying that) though the govemmenthas been able to improve the law and order situation to a great extent, police atrocities and brutalities have alienated niralmasses from the ruling party. The police is not only picking up youth on mere suspicion but also minting money by adopting methods similar to the ones by militants.” admission seems a gross un Statement for apparent.
Of course, this is a govern nominally headed by a Sikh chi minister elected from a Hindu conSlituency by 17% of the votes who: himself was accused of master minding the murder of four tee Sikhs in 1983. The director gen eral of police could not have asked for a“ better boss for fulfillment of his mission”, While Gill may “elated by his successes” and s share his rewards with the chief ministerter, the Subedars of Sirhind’ Lahore of three centuries sssssago must be feeling very uncomfortable for having their records battered! Editor’s Note: References” ‘supplied upon written request.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 10, 1993
