Cong throws code to winds, replaces 5 SHOs in 15 days

If there is a code of conduct in Malout Assembly Elections, then obviously no one cares. By sending the duty officer on leave and replacing ...

If there is a code of conduct in Malout Assembly Elections, then obviously no one cares. By sending the duty officer on leave and replacing him by another, the newly elected Congress government has ensured that the township has seen five SHOs in the past 15 days. The Akalis are crying foul over this, and former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is charging the Election Commission for inaction.

Malout Sadar police station, the thana which looks after the township and the mandi has suddenly become most privileged of positions which witnesses a new occupant every other day. The story began with Kailash Chander who was the SHO of Malout Sadar thana when elections began. Shortly afterwards he was replaced by Ravel Singh. A day later Nazar Singh came in, only to be replaced by Atma Singh.

He stayed for two days, was sent on leave and Beant Singh took over. And yesterday, after the suspension of one Sub Inspector, Beant Singh too was asked to go on leave paving the way for Balkar Singh. ‘‘The EC used to take cognisance of news reports and transfer Deputy Commissioners as well as SSPs,’’ says Sukhbir Badal, former Union Minister. Today, despite complaints, the EC is turning a blind eye.

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‘‘Four SHOs in 15 days! Have you ever heard of this before’’, Sukhbir asks. And just as he has finishes, his supporters tell us that the latest SHO too has been sent on leave. Ask the EC officials at Chandigarh and they express their surprise. They say it has not come to their notice. Akali Dal activists at Malout, however, say they have faxed details about the frequent replacements in police personnel at Malout, but to no avail.

Chowki Panniwala is a similar story with four police personnel being changed beginning from Sub Inspector Balbir Singh to ASIs Surinder Pal Singh, Gurmel Singh and Mohan Lal. All this happened while the code of conduct was still in force.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary, Y.S. Ratra today withdrew the orders holding in abeyance the transfer of D K Tewari replacing Babu Lal as Deputy Commissioner Muktsar. The orders posting Tewari as DC were passed on February 28, but were held in abeyance on March 2. Tewari shall now take charge as DC once the code is over.

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