Want more cops on field duty, will trim VVIP security: Chattopadhyaya

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 25

Asserting that sacrilege incidents and the Ludhiana courts complex blast were serious incidents, Punjab DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyaya said the police will in the coming days move from individual security to securing the environment.

Hinting at large-scale pruning of the personal security given by the Punjab Police to VVIPs, the DGP at a press meet said they needed more visible presence in the state to avoid such incidents.

Entry points to Court complex to be reduced

• Security has been beefed up at Ludhiana district courts following the high-intensity bomb blast at the judicial complex. CCTV cameras will be installed in order to keep a strict vigil within the complex
• The Ludhiana administration is set to reduce the entry/exit points to the complex for security reasons. Instructions have been issued not to allow any person enter the premises without frisking. OC

He was referring to misuse of police for personal security or the “gunmen culture”. It was reported recently that the some police officers were using trained cops as cooks and gardeners.

“Rest assured the police are active and will have more presence. We are moving from individual security to a secure environment,” he said.

The DGP admitted to security lapse leading to the Ludhiana blast. When asked about intel alerts, he said there had been a security lapse at the courts. “There were at least 12 entry and exit points and all cannot be manned. It is here the co-operation of the people is required.”

Change on way

Rest assured police will have more presence. We are moving from individual security to a secure environment. —Siddharth Chattopadhyaya, Punjab director general of police

Regarding the Golden Temple sacrilege incident he said the investigation was on but it was a “very delicate situation”. “The incident is a very sensitive issue. The SGPC has its own security and is carrying out its own investigation, while we are doing our own. It is a delicate situation. Police have limits in that sphere.”

Asserting that taking law into their own hands by public would not be tolerated, the DGP said the registration of a murder case against the granthi of a Nizampur gurdwara in Kapurthala and 100 others underlined police would not tolerate lynching.