1 hr ago
Punjab Police Security Directive Sparks Law-and-Order Political Storm
Punjab police issued new instructions to help keep officers safe.
The instructions cover areas including Amritsar Rural, Batala, Gurdaspur and Pathankot.
Police officers were told not to travel alone whenever possible.
They were also told to avoid using the same routes and schedules every time.
Checkpoints should have wider security coverage and an armed sentry.
Officers must report when they leave and arrive safely.
The directive also calls for more checks around police facilities and sensitive places.
Opposition leaders say the instructions show that law and order has become worse under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The police directive itself presents the measures as precautions because of the prevailing security situation.
A September 18 directive ordered heightened security measures for police personnel across Punjab’s Border Range.
Police were advised not to travel alone, avoid predictable routines and use the Buddy Pair System.
The order called for stronger security at checkpoints, police facilities, sensitive locations and night-time patrols.
It directed police to coordinate with specialised agencies on gangsters, organised crime, drugs and foreign links.
Opposition leaders Bikram Singh Majithia and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring linked the instructions to alleged deteriorating law and order under Bhagwant Mann.
- Who
- The Inspector General of Police, Border Range, Amritsar, issued instructions to police personnel; opposition leaders Bikram Singh Majithia and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring criticized the Bhagwant Mann government.
- What
- A security directive introduced precautions for police travel, checkpoints, patrols, police facilities and coordination against organised crime and drug trafficking.
- Where
- The instructions were sent to the Senior Superintendents of Police in Amritsar Rural, Batala, Gurdaspur and Pathankot in Punjab.
- When
- The directive was issued on September 18; the political criticism followed its emergence as a public issue.
- Why
- The directive cited the prevailing security situation and aimed to protect police personnel, duty points and checking arrangements.
Police Security Rationale
Opposition Criticism
Meaning of the directive
Police Security Rationale
The directive describes the measures as precautions required by the prevailing security situation and focuses on protecting police personnel and duty points.
Opposition Criticism
Bikram Singh Majithia argues that the instructions indicate police personnel are vulnerable and that the Punjab Police has been rendered helpless under Bhagwant Mann.
Punjab’s law-and-order situation
Police Security Rationale
The order calls for stronger checking, surveillance and coordination against gangsters, organised crime, drugs and suspicious activity.
Opposition Criticism
Majithia and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring portray the instructions as evidence of deteriorating law and order and criticize the Mann government’s handling of the situation.
Key facts
- Issuing authority
- Inspector General of Police, Border Range, Amritsar
- Date issued
- September 18
- Districts covered
- Amritsar Rural, Batala, Gurdaspur and Pathankot
- Travel instruction
- Police personnel should, as far as possible, avoid travelling alone and use the Buddy Pair System.
- Checkpoint measures
- Nakas and checking points should have 360-degree security, dispersed personnel and an armed, vigilant sentry.
- Specialised coordination
- Gangster-related information is to be shared with the Anti-Gangster Task Force, while drug-trafficking information is to be shared with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force.
- Political response
- Bikram Singh Majithia and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring attacked the Bhagwant Mann government over alleged law-and-order deterioration.
Quotes
Amarinder Singh Raja Warring
Punjab Congress president and critic of the Bhagwant Mann government
“Rome was burning and Nero was playing the flute.”
NDTV
Sources
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