Fearing for life, Punjab Police officers seek better protection

Friday, 29/11/2013

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131129/main2.htm

Patiala/Fatehgarh Sahib : Senior Punjab Police officers behind the international drug smuggling racket bust have sought “more security personnel during field duty” fearing threat to their lives from the arrested drug lords and their ring. The officers include a serving Deputy Superintendent of Police, two inspectors and a sub-inspector.

The police officers, who have conducted important investigations in the case, now want to enhance their security fearing threat to their lives as well as that of their families. Sources in the police department said investigations made after drug lord Jagdish Singh Bhola and his NRI associate Anup Singh Kahlon’s arrest had revealed the alleged links of these peddlers with the underworld and conmen settled abroad.

Sources said this was perhaps the first time since the militancy era that senior police officers had sought enhanced protection apprehending threat to their lives.

“We cannot take chances as many of the arrested drug smugglers share close proximity to senior politicians in Punjab and therefore the investigating officers have every right to be cautious,” said a police officer facing a threat to his life.

He said the nexus was spread in many countries and drugs worth over Rs 5,000 crore in the international market had been seized from their associates.

“These people have named some top politicians and there is no point taking chances,” the officer said.

Nabha Deputy Superintendent of Police Arshdeep Singh said fearing threat to his life, he had taken up the matter with the Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police and the security wing of the state police.

“The accused and their close associates have made ample money through drugs and are well connected in India and abroad. I have requested for more security during work and also for my family members,” he told The Tribune.

Banur Station House Officer Bikramjit Singh Brar, who arrested Jagdish Singh Bhola and is handling the case in which chemicals and drugs worth over Rs 1,500 crore had been seized, said these criminals had links with all kinds of wrong people.

“I have apprised my seniors of the issue and have been more than careful ever since I arrested Bhola on November 11,” he said.

Nabha Station House Officer Devinder Attri, inspector and former SHO of Fatehgarh Sahib, who was investigating the case involving NRI smuggler Anup Singh Kahlon, said he had also sought extra security as he faced threat to his life.

“Bhola is an international smuggler with a wide network and links with top criminals,” he said. CIA inspector Avtar Singh had also written for enhanced security cover, he added.

Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Hardyal Singh Mann said these officers had requested for enhanced security and their demand was being forwarded.

Additional Director General of Police (Security) Dinkar Gupta said he had not received any request from these officers so far but would extend all support to the officers.

“All demands of the officers associated with this case would be fulfilled as the entire team had done a commendable work,” he said.