Bhawra new DGP, Ferozepur SSP shifted

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8

The Punjab Government today appointed 1987-batch IPS officer Viresh Kumar Bhawra as the state DGP just an hour before the model code of conduct came into force.

The government also shifted Ferozepur SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans and posted Narindera Bhargava in his place. Ferozepur is at the centre of controversy over lapses in PM Narendra Modi’s security earlier this week.

Bhawra has been appointed for a two-year tenure after the state had two officiating DGPs, Siddharth Chattopadhyaya and Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota, in the last three months.

After assuming the charge, Bhawra said his priority would be to conduct free and fair elections in the state. He said his focus would be on eradicating drug menace. He said people-centric policing and public service delivery were among his priorities.

A recipient of distinguished service medals, Bhawra conceptualised the creation of the Bureau of Investigation and was posted as its first director. In separate orders, the government transferred seven IPS officers and two PPS officers. Apart from shifting Ferozepur SSP, the government posted Dr Nanak Singh as SSP, Gurdaspur, and Alka Meena SSP, Barnala.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has announced the return of truck unions. He announced it hours before the poll code came into force.

The unions, considered ‘against’ industry’s interests, were banned by Captain Amarinder Singh in 2017.

The Chief Minister couldn’t get regularisation of 36,000 employees cleared.