AMRITSAR: While the SHO, ‘Kulwinder Singh and four other policemen were placed under suspension this ‘week the Punjab Election ‘Commission is reported to have taken a strong view of reports of alleged interference by police in the election [process and drastic action is likely to ‘be taken in this matter.
It is learnt that the election commission this week sought a report from the deputy commissioner cum returning officer for Amritsar and Tam Taran parliament seats, Karanbir Singh Sidhu, on the allegations regarding the role of police during polling, and his assessment of the situation. Sidhu had, last week, written to the Election ‘Commission to provide paramilitary forces for smooth conduct of counting of votes on May 8.
‘Sources said the Administration was. Considering relieving Tam Taran police from security duty on the counting day and an officer of DIG Rank was likely to be given the responsibility of conducting the counting peacefully. It is learnt that Punjab Police commandos from Reserve Commando Battalions were being rushed to Tam Taran constituency and they would not be put under the command of SSP, Tam Taran.
‘The Inspector General of Police (border range) Bakhshi Ram, taking serious view of the delay in inquiry report by SSP Tarn Taran directed the latter to suspend the police officials, so that ‘a fair inquiry could be conducted. SSP Tam Taran Gurcharan Singh was not available for comments. However, the SSP had said that he had not yet received inquiry report last week.
Bakhshi Ram when contacted over telephone said that he had asked the SSP Tam Taran to submit preliminary inquiry report immediately but undue delay by him was causing unnecessary doubts in the minds of public, He said that he had also ordered to replace inquiry officer Narinder Bhargava, SP (Operation), Tarn Taran to remove the impression that local policy may not conduct fair investigation.
IGP said that Gurkirpal Singh SP (Headquarter) Majitha police district had been asked to hold fresh inquiry and submit report as soon as possible. He said that if any policeman was found guilty, stern action would be taken against him. He said that police had a great responsibility to obey the law. He, however, said that certain vested interests were also presenting an exaggerated version of the in cither lidded four other policemen suspend include Tasvir Singh head constable, Gurdev Singh and Major Singh constables and Vipin Kumar driver of police vehicle, All of them have been sent to Police Lines’
Meanwhile, the returning officers received reports from assistant retuning officers (AROs) of Patti, Tam Taran, Valioha and Khadoor Sahib Assembly segments in Tam Taran constituency, apprehending trouble on the counting day. The returning officer is reported to have written to the election commission to provide paramilitary forces for counting of votes on the basis of these reports. The AROs are reported to have brought to the notice of Sidhu several instances of police interference on the polling day.
Sidhu said that he had demanded paramilitary forces due to fear of trouble at certain sensitive places. He, however, said that the Election Commission had not conveyed him the final decision taken on his request. He said that Akali Dal candidate Major Singh Uboke had also written to him to strengthen security arrangements in view of the sensitiveness of the constituency.
‘Surinder Singh Kairon, a close relative of Chief Minister Harcharan Singh Brar, is Congress candidate from Tarn Taran constituency. The incident of beating up of certain Harijans of Jhabaal village by the police, allegedly at the instance of Kairon, is under investigation. The Harijans had alleged that they were beaten up for not voting for him.
Article extracted from this publication >>May 8, 1996
