BARNALA: Barnala DSP Satbir Singh has been suspended following allegations of a brutal lathi charge on protesting sanitation workers, including women. The officer was suspended under Rule 4(1)(a) of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970, following an inquiry conducted by the Patiala Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
According to a brief order issued by the office of the Director General of Police (DGP), Satbir Singh’s headquarters during the suspension period will be the 4th Commando Battalion in SAS Nagar. Sanitation workers and leaders of various political parties had demanded strict action against the DSP, alleging that he did not spare women protesters during the lathi charge. The protesting sanitation workers said they had been demanding his dismissal from service over the alleged use of excessive force against protesters, including female workers. They added that they would decide their next course of action after discussing the matter. The workers said that by suspending the DSP, the state government and police had acknowledged that he had overstepped while handling the protest. They demanded justice for those affected. DIG Patiala Range Kuldeep Singh Chahal, when contacted, confirmed the action taken against the officer.
