Two committees on police reforms to submit report soon: Virk

Hoshiarpur, Nov 1 (UNI) The Punjab government has set up two committees as per recommendations of the Supreme Court for the implementation of Police Reform Act which are expected to submit their report soon, Director General of Punjab Police S S Virk today said.

Subsequently, these reports will be tabled before the senior police officers and after considering their suggestions, its gist will be implemented, Mr Virk told mediapersons at PWD here.

He said that 44 officers of the rank of SP, 105 DSPs and 150 inspectors of Punjab Police have recently been promoted.

Mr Virk said he had already discussed the matter of promotions of Assistant Director Generals of Police with the Chief Minister and was sure that none of the IAS officer would create hurdles in these promotions as was apprehended by some senior police officials.

The DGP said 500 constables and 400 wireless operators have recently been recruited while process to recruit 500 more constables was underway. It had been decided to annually recruit 1000 constables in future.

Replying to a question, he said that out of 500 recruited constables, half were SPOs. As per the directions of the High Court, during each recruitment 50 per cent SPOs would be recruited in future as well.

Recommendations have been made to the state government for direct recruitment of six Deputy Superintendents of Police through Punjab Public Service Commission, he said.

Mr Virk asserted that there was no terrorist activity and the law and order situation was quite normal in the state.

In response to a query, Mr Virk said that involvement of Kashmiri terrorists could not be ruled out in the firing which claimed four lives at a liquor vend at village Dholbaha of Hoshiarpur district. A probe into the incident was underway and the truth shall soon be out, he said.

The DGP admitted that some corrupt elements still existed in the department and he had recently dismissed 40 police officials up to the rank of Inspector, over such matters. Complete transparency had been made during recent recruitments, transfers and promotions to avoid corruption, he added.

Mr Virk was on his way to village Bodal (Dasuya) for participating in the Bhog ceremony of late Mr Jaswinder Singh, DIG of Orissa Police, who was gunned down by his security personnel.

While paying tributes to Mr Jaswinder Singh, he said that he was a dedicated and honest officer. Punjab Police would extend all help to the family of slain DIG, he said.

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