DGP Arora rules out 'revival of militancy' in Punjab

In apprehensions over the revival of militancy after "regrouping" of some radical Sikh outfits, Punjab DGP Suresh Arora today ruled out such a possibility, saying the police is keeping a close watch on the developments in the state.
Talking to reporters during his visit to inspect the Sadar Police station here today, Arora said that the "question of revival of militancy does not arise".
On the unrest in Punjab in the wake of series of sacrilege incidents, DGP said, "Police is keeping a close watch on the developments."
He was asked questions on the apprehensions of revival of militancy "after regrouping of radical Sikh elements".

Asked about "certain foreign powers" allegedly trying to disturb peace in Punjab, Arora said the matter was under investigation and he would not like to comment on it.
In reply to another question, Arora said that the Punjab Police was reviewing the system of VVIP duties performed by the policemen.

He said the police officials at the lower level are forced to do duties beyond their eight hour shift.
The DGP said that the prevailing system was about 30-year-old and it is required to be replaced with the help of modern technology.
He said that he has been travelling to police stations around the state to get hold of the problems in functioning of the police force.

Most of the police stations were under-staffed and even the sanctioned strength of staff is not available, DGP said, adding that he would take remedial measures to update the police stations with modern technology and provide adequate staff.
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Meanwhile, later speaking to reporters at Phagwara this evening, DGP Arora said that technically the investigation, and law and order wings should be made separate.
He said that Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also felt that both the wings should be separate.
"But force at 'thana' (police station) level was not yet sufficient and for giving better services in investigation side, the 'thana', which was the first responder, will have to be streamlined," DGP said.

Disclosing that 5,000 posts were sanctioned in police to overcome understaffing and that the recruitment will begin in coming days, Arora informed that plans were afoot to temporarily deploy Punjab Armed Police for law and order at the vacant posts of police.
Claiming that several cases of desecration were solved, Arora said that investigations were going on into the remaining ones.
However, he declined to divulge details of the investigation but asserted that the cases would be solved.
On All Woman Police Stations, Arora said that he was evaluating the scheme at the existing police stations and also studying Haryana pattern where the scheme had been introduced.

Presently, four districts in Punjab have one each such police stations manned by women.
On growing incidents of uprooting of ATMs, he said the issue was very serious and a matter of concern, "but we will handle it befittingly."
On fight against drug menace, he said tha the "public should be assured that police was fighting the menace with all its might."
Declaring public-police social-orientation to make police people-friendly, Arora said since police station (thana) was the cutting edge for public service, it was here (thana) that the matters have to improve and deficiencies be removed.
"My thrust was to make 'thana' very efficient and quite responsive," the DGP said.

Arora, who earlier in the day inspected police stations at Banga, Ropar, Kharar, also inspected Phagwara Sadar police station.
Jalandhar Zone IG Arpit Shukla, Jalandhar Range DIG Shiv Kumar Verma and Kapurthala SSP Rajinder Singh were also present.