PATIALA: A senior police officer of the Punjab Police recently sent on deputation to the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) here has virtually converted the local power colony into an “open jail.”

The police officer reportedly a great lover of animals has given orders to the security staff to fence off the colony after 10 p.m. All senior officers including the chairman the members of the Board and subordinate staff members are living in the colony.

Certain senior officers of the rank of superintending engineer and executive engineers have reportedly expressed their resentment against the “ban orders” to chairman H.S.Baweja. It is learned that on Oct.21 the security staff barred certain senior officers of the Board from leaving the colony premises at night. They had to seek the intervention of the Chairman before they were finally allowed to go out at 11:30 p.m.

A few days back some journalists staying in the VIP guest house also had a first-hand experience when the guards at the colony asked them to be back in time. The guards also expressed their helplessness saying they would be bashed up if the orders were not followed.

Enquiries revealed that the dressing down of constables in front of the residents of the colony was a common thing. Certain policemen on the condition of anonymity said it could come anytime. Recently the police officer had beaten up a constable told to look after his cow kept in the VIP guest house against all norms. The constable was reportedly sacked.

The sources said the chairman had asked the secretary an I.A.S officer to meet the police officer and sort out the issue but the police officer did not respond to the call of the secretary. Ultimately the sources said a meeting was fixed between the Chairman and the officer on Thursday. The details of the meeting were not available but things seem to have improved a lite after that.

The police officer has given small relief to the permanent residents of colony who will be allowed to enter after close scrutiny of their credentials. However the friend’s relatives and other guests would not be allowed in or out of the colony after 10 p.m.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 6, 1992