CHANDIGARH: What is the India government’s motive behind K.P.S. Gills appointment as Director General Police, Punjab? This question is being posed by political observers and bureaucrats who do not see ready answers.

Gill was transferred rather unceremoniously last year from the Punjab police Chiefs post even while news items were planted in section of the media by circles close to him that seven of 12Punjab district police chiefs would quit her post if Gil was shifted.

Media reports suggest that Gills Punjab posting has been made on the Recommendation by Punjab political panties such as Congress (I),C.P.(M), B.J.P and the C.P.I In particular  the name of Harkishen Singh Borjeet is being mentioned as the man behind the removal of D.S.Mangat and the appointment of K.P.S.Gill.

If Delhi’s established ways of handling her postings and transfers of police officers are any guide, it is not very credible that the Opposition parties are allowed any say. It is quite possible that Delhi really wanted to get rid of Gill as chief of C.R.P.F, a central outfit whose role in the context of the developing Ayodhia crisis is becoming far more crucial.

While a lot could be said about Gills pliability as a police officer, none could perhaps accuse him of going too far in bilging his political bosses. He is known as a head strong man It is surmised that Delhi could not rely on him fully in its handling of the Ayodhia issue. The Prime Minister is said to have struck a deal with the BIP and would not mind the Ayodhia Muslim masjid being destroyed to appease hard-core Hindu public opinion. That is perhaps why Delhi needed some more reliable officer to head the C.P.P. at this crucial moment.

According to this line of reasoning, Gill has been thrown out of the key post he held. It has been made to look as if he is greatly needed elsewhere. That perhaps explains the drama behind his reappointment to the Punjab post.

Besides, the Congress (I) leadership has ensured that its opponents such as B.J.P and C.C.P. (M) leaders do not find fault with the formers Punjab policy now that an officer of their own choice has been given all powers in the State. It will thus be easier for the ruling party to enlist the support of these opposition parties for further constitutional and amendments to postpone elections if that becomes necessary despite Gill’s posting in Punjab.

Circles close to the outgoing police chief, D.S.Mangat, see only Harkishen Singh Surjet’s hand behind the Gill appointment, They point out that Congress (I)’ s aim is to organize rigging of elections in Punjab, ask Gill would: leave to perform, to “isolate militants”. These circles do not much distinguish between Congress (I) and Surjeet personally. According to Mangat’s admirers, the outgoing chief is too much of professional to indulge in politicking while Gill does all kinds of extra-judicial things to oblige his political bosses.

Whatever the merits of these claims, one thing is quite certain: Gil in the past man- aged to infiltrate in the top echelons of militant groups rather smoothly. He did that mainly through elements associated with AISSR, These elements, in tum, have their pockets of influence among hard-core million. In a least one case, certain top militants publicly apologized after they or ‘Sanized an attack on a pro-A.I.S.S.F and the then Governor of Punjab on the eve of the Rajiv Longowal accord. The same candidate also has satisfactory relations with K.P.S. Gill also.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 15, 1991