Gill takes over as Punjab DGP

Chandigarh, Jan 21 (UNI) Mr R S Gill, a 1973-batch officer of the IPS cadre today, took as Punjab Director General of Police (DGP), succeeding Mr S S Virk, whose removal was ordered by the Election Commission.

Mr Gill, currently DGP, Punjab Armed Police (PAP) at Jalandhar, is a sports lover and has been at the forefront of promotion of sports and sportspersons at the PAP. He was awarded the Presidents Police medal for distinguished services in 2002.

Mr Gill's name for the top post was cleared by the ECI from a panel of three names forwarded by the Punjab government. The ECI had removed Mr Virk as DGP on Friday night following complaints by the opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) that his continuation at the top post would not be conducive for the conduct of a free and fair assembly poll in Punjab.

The SAD, in its complaint to the ECI, had alleged that there was a close nexus between Virk and Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. In its complaint, it had also alleged that Capt Singh had bestowed favours on Mr Virk and had cleared a 'controversial' mega project of the outgoing DGPs brother in November last year.

The ECI, after studying the complaints, had decided to remove Mr Virk and appoint Mr Gill, who has the image of being a non-controversial and an upright police officer. Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalswami had, during his visit to Chandigarh on January 8 and 9, stated that 'all concerened officials had been given the necessary instructions to be fair and neutral in the election process'.

Meanwhile, according to official sources Mr Virk has not been assigned any new task as yet. The ECI had, in its directions to the Punjab government, ordered that Mr Virk should not be assigned any election-related duties.

UNI