UP DGP Bua Singh announces voluntary retirement

Lucknow, Mar 14 (UNI) Hours after his removal from the post by the Election Commission (EC) ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly poll, state Director General of Police (DGP) Bua Singh announced voluntary retirement from service.

He made the announcement at a hurriedly convened news conference at his office, making no effort to conceal his dejection and disapppointment over the EC decision.

However, he refrained from any direct comment on his removal saying it would be improper for him to question the decision of a constitutional authority.

His removal came after the EC had shortlisted some top ranking officers to be removed before the assembly poll apparently on the complaints of their proximity with the ruling Samajwadi Party in UP.

Visibly dejected over his removal, the 1973 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer said he was leaving on a sorrowful note. ''I have served the country with a blemish-free career...I do not desire to continue anymore,'' he said.

Mr Singh, who was due to retire in June this year, said he was at pains to note that some political parties had complained against him for some reasons.

''It was just a post assigned to me by the incumbent government and it had nothing to do with my loyality as an officer,'' he said.

In reply to a question, Mr Singh said he had no inclination to join politics, instead he would spend time in farming.

Mr Singh, during his long career, had countered terrorism in Punjab on an assignment and served outside UP from 1982 to 1993 on assignments with CBI and Ministry of Home affiars during which he was posted at Moscow also.

He had assumed the post of UP DGP about 11 months back replacing Mr Yashpal Singh.

UNI