Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has asked Punjab Police to consider transferring police officers of the rank of inspector and above who have stayed in a particular district for three years on a stretch.A division bench headed by Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal passed these orders after Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, who in response to a query from the court, informed that through instructions dated May 21, 2020 police officers from the rank of constable to inspector shall be deputed in a particular district for a maximum period of three years. The DGP, who appeared through videoconference, also informed that a manpower audit is also being conducted in the state. “It is strange that such a policy is applicable to only lower rank police officials. Such a policy ought to be applicable to higher ranks… The DGP Punjab, shall file an affidavit in this regard,” ordered the bench after hearing DGP.During the hearing of the matter on Tuesday, the bench observed it had also come to its notice that the Mohali SSP was facing disciplinary proceedings with regard to the security lapse during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Jan 20, 2022. On this, the Punjab govt counsel requested for time to inform the court about the status of the proceedings.Meanwhile, in an affidavit filed by DGP regarding measures taken by police in regard to organised crime, the HC was informed that to ensure adequate manpower is available for patrolling and law and order duties, a security review of the protectees has been initiated and efforts shall be made to ensure adequate number of policemen are available for patrolling and law and order duties. The DGP also informed the court that all possible efforts shall be made to instill confidence in the public and to ensure the menace of organised crime is curbed.Justice Grewal also directed the DGP to inform in his affidavit whether any action had been taken with regard to extortion calls. The judge asked him to inform the court that whether any person who received such calls had informed the police, but had thereafter been physically harmed. The court passed these orders after it was informed by the DGP that a helpline number had been set up on Jan 21 for citizens to report extortion calls. So far, 279 such calls have been received.Adjourning the matter to Feb 18, the bench also directed Punjab principal secretary (jails) to file a status report with regard to measures taken to augment jail security.
