Chandigarh, May 11
As per the latest provisional census figures, Ludhiana with a population of 30.30 lakh, ranks number two in Punjab, next only to Amritsar. But in terms of growth rate, Ludhiana tops with 24.79 per cent (1991-2001).
Ludhiana has acquired the dubious distinction of being the epicentre of crime, custodial deaths, kidnapping for ransom and murders over property disputes. The crime is now organised by the mafia. The role of the liquor lobby is known too well to be retold. Invariably there is a political umbrella.
The law and order is a thing of the past in Ludhiana in particular and in the state in general as the crime graph has risen. Over a score of police personnel have either been suspended, transferred or shifted to the Police lines in Ludhiana in the past few weeks. The image and credibility of the Police has received a beating.
The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has had to sent the Principal Secretary, Home Affairs and Justice, Mr Bikramjit Singh, and the Director-General of Police, Mr Sarabjit Singh, to Ludhiana to assess the situation. The two have interacted with police and civil officials there. They will be there again on Wednesday and Thursday next to interact with the public.
Mr Bikramjit Singh told TNS today that several police officials of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and below had been posted in Ludhiana for the past eight to nine years. They had developed “vested interests” enjoying political patronage. The Police was not only under-staffed but also ill-equipped and financially starved.
But for two police stations, the telephones in the rest had been disconnected for non payment of bills. Vehicles were unfit for use.
The influx of migratory population (including Muslims) has added to the woes of Ludhianavis, who are as much a victim of daily crime as a witness to police excesses. Backed by politicians, the mafia eyes prime property and plots. The recent battle between two politically backed liquor lobbies is yet another example of organised crimes.
Mr Bikramjit Singh said 90 per cent of the crime was committed by migrant labour. The district, according to one estimate, had a population of seven lakh migrants. The city alone accounted for over three lakh migrants. Muslim migrants, who were speedily renovating mosques and building new ones, were accounted for nearly 10 per cent of the migrant population. Their strength could be between 30,000 and 40,000.
The Chief Secretary, Mr N. K. Arora, told TNS that law and order was a matter of prime concern to the Chief Minister, who had ordered that top priority be given to revamping the police in metropolitan cities, beginning with Ludhiana.
Mr Arora pointed out that a detailed plan was on the anvil for policing Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala. A “jail reformation” exercise was underway. There were reports that jails were being misused with inmates having easy access to cell phones, drugs and other facilities.
Aware of the infamous happenings in the Tihar Central Jail, Punjab wants to take all precautions short-listing “sensitive items” that are to be barred from entry into jails.
Mr Bikramjit Singh reviewed the working of the Home department on May 8. The government has issued instructions to the Deputy Commissioners to ínspect jails. He has also written to the Director-General of
Police that Senior Superintendents of Police should accompany the Deputy Commissioners during the inspection of jails.
Mr Bikramjit Singh said against a capacity of 8,000, the jails in the Punjab housed over 11,000 prisoners and undertrials. The Faridkot jail had been declared “unsafe” and its inmates shifted to Bathinda, Patiala and Sangrur leading to overcrowding there.
Though there is a proposal to construct new barracks, money seems to be a constraint. The Home Department has sought Rs 1 crore for expanding jail accommodation, sources revealed.
While reviewing the department functioning, the Home Secretary is understood to have said that “direct” recruitment at the Deputy Superintendent of Police level was to be done. This had not happened for the past over two years. It was done through the Punjab Public Service Commission. Requirements were being assessed as to the number of direct DSPs to be recruited.
The Punjab jails look like old-age homes. There are 107 prisoners and 183 undertrials who are of 70 or above, 34 of the women. The oldest prisoner is 86 years. Four undertrials are
90.
