Bhavnagar SP: Advani praised, Modi disposed

When Union Home Minister L K Advani visited the city, he praised Sharma and his men for saving 400 children in a hostel from a mob and rescuing three foreigners from a burning hotel. Advani, in fact, had turned around to local journalists to tell them, see, the police are doing a good job here.

‘‘When leaders in the rally raised inflammatory slogans, the SP asked us to arrest Shiv Sena leader Kishore Bhatt and 21 VHP activists. Without lobbing teargas shells or firing even one round, the situation was immediately brought under control,’’ sources in Bhavnagar police said.

On the evening of March 1, when mobs were prowling the streets, the Bhavnagar police, who had never faced a riot before, momentarily seemed to lose confidence. ‘‘Sensing that my men were hesitating, I got out and fired the first round and they immediately joined me. We managed to disperse the mob and did not allow them to regroup,’’ Sharma told The Indian Express.

That’s when the telephone started jangling. Sources in Bhavangar police said BJP MLA Sunil Oza called up Sharma, accusing him of stirring up trouble by arresting Sena and VHP leaders. ‘‘The MLA, in fact, threatened the police that if they were not released, it would cause a serious law and order problem. We not only didn’t release them, but made it clear that throwing their weight around was not going to help,’’ police sources said.

Oza then reportedly exerted pressure on the Director General of Police’s office, but after considering the case, the DG office did not pressurise Sharma.

‘‘As soon as they realised that it was not working, they started a hide and seek game. They instigated small incidents which kept the tension alive. Overnight, 220 such small incidents were reported. That’s when I called my men and asked them to use force,’’ Sharma said.

The Bhavnagar police were on their toes, opening fire wherever and whenever necessary. By March 2, the number of incidents had trickled down to 30; by March 3, there was nothing to report. When the Army eventually reached Bhavnagar, it had little to do.

‘‘I think the way we came down heavily on the mobs was not liked by many people. Other than controlling the riots, I didn’t do any mischief,’’ remarks Sharma.

There was more pressure on its way. According to sources, Zadaphiya called up Bhavnagar city police and told them not to register cases against those injured in police firing. ‘‘If we didn’t do so, the policemen would have been held for attempt to murder. We refused pointblank,’’ an official said.

Zadaphiya denied having made calls. ‘‘I didn’t call anyone and ask them not to register cases. They are free to do whatever they want.’’

At any rate, Sharma has just been transferred, by his own admission, for the third time in five-and-a-half years. ‘‘I am used to it. I was initially worried, but when I heard that a competent officer will take charge, I was relieved,’’ he told The Indian Express.