PM safety lapse: Punjab DGP is Navjot Sidhu’s chosen candidate

On Wednesday (January 5), the Punjab Police, in a serious lapse, had allowed political protestors to dam the Prime Minister’s convoy. It was blocked for over 20 minutes by protestors at a flyover about 30 km away from Hussainiwala. In an announcement, the Home Ministry had asserted that the PM’s convoy had began solely after essential confirmations from the DGP in Punjab and the incident was a serious lapse on the a part of the Punjab Police.
While calling this a serious lapse within the safety of the PM, the Home Ministry said that the PM’s journey plan was communicated properly prematurely to the state authorities. The state authorities is required to make essential preparations for safety, logistics and likewise make a contingency plan prepared in case of surprising points.
Currently, the Director-General of Police in Punjab is Siddharth Chattopadhyaya, a 1986 Batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer whose appointment within the put up was pushed by present State Congress Chief Navjot Singh Siddhu.
Appointment of IPS officer Siddharth Chattopadhyaya
On December 17 final yr, Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota was changed by Chattopadhyaya because the officiating DGP (Punjab). His appointment was backed by Sidhu. Although State Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Home Minister Sukjinder Randhawa supported Sahota, Sidhu took the Congress equipment in Punjab hostage by resigning from the put up of celebration President. He later took again the resignation beneath the situation {that a} panel for the appointment of the officiating DGP got here from the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Chattopadhyay, who is ready to retire in March 2022, would maintain the put up of officiating DGP till the appointment of an everyday DGP from a panel of three IPS officers short-listed by the UPSC. Sidhu had been pushing the identify of Chattopadhyaya ever since Captain Amarinder Singh resigned from the put up of the Chief Minister. The Congress regime gave in to strain ways by Sidhu.
Appointment of Chattopadhyaya because the officiating DGP of Punjab
In a notification, the Punjab authorities introduced, “In place of Sh. Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota, IPS (PB:1988) Special DGP Armed Bn., Jalandhar, Sh. Siddharth Chattopadhyaya, IPS (PB:1986) DGP, PSPCL, Patiala shall look after the work of Director General of Police, Punjab (HoPF) in addition to his present duties until a fresh appointment is made to the post of Director General of Police, Punjab (HoPF) as per the prescribed procedure. The orders will come into force with immediate effect.”
During a gathering held on January 4, the UPSC really helpful a panel of three IPS officers, specifically, Dinkar Gupta, Prabodh Kumar and Viresh Kumar Bhawra to the Punjab authorities. It should be talked about that Dinkar Gupta had relinquished the place of DGP on October 5 and therefore the date was thought of as a lower off date. According to norms, an officer should have 6 months of service left for him to be thought of for the put up. Given that Chattopadhyaya is ready to retire on March 31 this yr, his identify was not thought of for the put up of standard DGP.
To make sure that Chattopadhyaya continues on his put up till retirement, the Punjab Congress authorities had earlier requested the UPSC to contemplate September 30 because the deadline for deciding the panel. However, it refused to take action and determined to observe the deadline of October 5.
The appointment of a brand new DGP in Punjab has seen soiled politics from Congress factions. Earlier in September, it was reported that whereas Channi had backed Sahota because the DGP, the ultimate approval needed to come from the Congress excessive command in Delhi. Sidhu has been in opposition to Sahota and had backed Chattopadhyay as his candidate.
Questions raised over Congress’ intentions
As the Punjab CM Charanjeet Singh Channi of Congress celebration entangled himself with numerous contradicting statements and stands after this incidence of lapse within the safety of PM Modi, questions are being raised on the intentions of the Congress celebration who’s at the moment ruling the state.
The celebration staff have been additionally seen celebrating the safety breach whereas its leaders have been seen posting feedback like “How’s the josh, Modi ji?” on social media. Congress leaders have been additionally seen boasting that they have been conscious of the deliberate protests and intentions to forestall the PM’s public deal with within the state.