SENIOR JOURNALIST.AMIT MARWAHA.TARN-TARAN/CHANDIGARH.
Working under pressure from the state government and obstructing the opposition has proven very costly for SSP Tarn Taran, Dr. Ravjot Grewal. The political turmoil has engulfed her to such an extent that the Punjab Election Commission had to issue a suspension letter against her. Amritsar Police Commissioner Dr. Gurpreet Singh has now been given additional charge in her place. There is also speculation that the opposition’s strategy proved highly effective. In particular, the repeated complaints from the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal faction) forced the Election Commission to issue the suspension letter against the SSP.
However, complaints from Congress Central Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and senior Punjab Congress MP Raja Amarinder Singh Warring also had a significant impact. The Election Commission taking such a major step just three days before the elections could significantly affect the ruling party’s prospects. However, the ruling party has openly declared that the public is very happy with their work, and therefore, their victory is almost certain.
…Understanding how the SSP’s suspension occurred:
Two months ago, Tarn Taran district got its first female SSP, Dr. Ravjot Kaur Grewal. This had raised hopes among the general public that a female police officer would now provide a new direction in terms of law and order in Tarn Taran. No one had anticipated that she would start working under government pressure during the by-election. This approach did not sit well with the Election Commission, and based on the complaints, she was suspended.
How she came into the spotlight:
During the by-election, Shiromani Akali Dal’s top leader, Sukhbir Singh Badal, first sent a complaint letter against the SSP to the Election Commission. In the complaint letter, he stated that the SSP was acting under government pressure and harassing them. He also alleged that two other DSPs were assisting her in this. Badal had also mentioned this during a rally recently. The distribution of pamphlets against senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders, the serious allegations against the police of kidnapping someone from their home, the outright denial by the SSP, all indicated that major action was about to be taken against him. The matter didn’t end there, as the SAD exploited the issue to such an extent that the Election Commission of India had to send a written order to the Punjab Election Commission stating that the strictest possible action should be taken against the SSP.
BJP Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and senior Congress leader Raja Warring also filed a complaint with the Election Commission against the SSP, alleging that he was working under government pressure and misusing his powers. They demanded strict action against him.
….Now a big challenge for Police Commissioner Bhullar
After the removal of SSP Tarn Taran Ravjot, the additional charge was given to Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. He is considered a brave and highly capable police officer. He knows very well how to maintain law and order. However, given the current election atmosphere, the biggest challenge for him is how to satisfy both the government and the opposition.