Seven HP cops likely to face action

SHIMLA, Feb 22: At least seven police officers, including four superintendents of police (SPs) are likely to face disciplinary proceeding...

SHIMLA, Feb 22: At least seven police officers, including four superintendents of police (SPs) are likely to face disciplinary proceedings for their act of “gross indiscipline” and exchange of blows against each other in the Chief Minister’s home district of Hamirpur early this month.

Reliable sources said Director General of Police T R Mahajan had received the report about the incident and he had forwarded the same to Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal with jobs his recommendations. “Action will follow sooner than later,” he told ENS when contacted.

Dhumal, who has returned from a tour this morning, is expected to take a final view on the DGP’s report by this evening. He has already gone on record, advocating strong action against the police oficers, involved in the incident. The officers, including a DIG, were together at the Circut House in connection with recruitment of the police constables. They had also assembled for dinner and drinks.

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Reports say that incident occured after a senior police officer called a deputy superintendent of police by his caste, which the said officer objected strongly. Thereafter it was free for all and blows were exchanged freely among the SPs and junior officers. Those present at the site included local SP Jagjit Gupta, his precedecessor S R Ohja and two other district police chiefs. An additional SP and two other DSPs were also involved, report say.

Though the exact nature of action proposed against them is likely to be known by tomorrow, sources say some of the officers beside being shifted from the key positions will also receive charge-sheets followed by other disciplinary proceedings. The Chief Minister maintains that indiscipline in the services would not be permitted and to ensure this, a strong action against the officers was warranted.