Bihar cops warn of mass leave over suspension of 11 SHOs

Patna, Aug 9: Angry over the suspension of 11 SHOs on charges of failing to enforce the liquor ban, the Bihar Police Association has warned of mass leave by its members if the suspension of these officers was not revoked by August 28.

"If the suspension is not revoked by August 28, around 21,000 officers ranging from Assistant Sub-Inspectors to Inspectors will go on a week-long mass leave," Bihar Police Association president Mritunjay Kumar Singh said.

He said nearly 250 Station House Officers have already informed their respective Superintendents of Police about their unwillingness to continue in their posts.

"We have called a BPA meeting on August 28 in which its all district presidents and others will attend to decide our future course of action," he said.

Singh said when he met Bihar Director General of Police P.K. Thakur, he advised the BPA leaders to ask the 11 SHOs suspended last week to submit applications through their respective SPs for revocation of their suspension from service.

The DGP assured that police authorities will look into the case, the BPA leader said.

Additional Director General of police (Headquarters) Sunil Kumar said the 11 SHOs were suspended after it was found that they had failed to check manufacture and sale of illicit liquor in areas under their jurisdiction.

"Despite the liquor ban in force in Bihar since April 1, these SHOs did not take steps to crack down on the manufacture of illicit liquor in their areas."

Kumar said the suspended SHOs would not be made police station incharge for the next 10 years.

Besides, six trainee police constables were also suspended in Banka district for offences related to violation of the prohibition law.

As many as 4,707 people have been arrested in four months and 3,719 FIRs lodged in connection with the liquor ban.

IANS