In a surprising action, Punjab Chief Secretary Y.S. Ratra today suspended Ferozepur DC Dhirendra Kumar Tiwari on ‘‘charges of disobedience amounting to dereliction of duty’’ with reference to conduct of vexed Zila Parishad polls.Tiwari, sanctioned a week’s leave earlier, was all set to leave for his home town last night, but was recalled at the last moment and asked to return to his HQs at Ferozepur. His suspension orders were passed today by Ratra.Official circles attributed Tiwari’s suspension to his ‘‘running away from the battlefield’’ and leaving the polls to a junior officer, ADC (Development) Gian Singh Bal.When contacted, Tiwari expressed shock saying he himself was ‘‘not sure’’ of the reasons of his suspension. He said that nothing about his ‘‘not obeying the orders of Punjab government’’ was written in the suspension orders. He said ‘‘no comments’’ when pressed repeatedly for the reasons behind his suspension. Tiwari said he would talk to the CM about the matter.
