Punjab Police on Tuesday denied reports of an “advisory” to its personnel on personal security measures, including avoiding wearing uniform when returning from duty.
Congress and SAD leaders posted the purported advisory to police personnel and attacked Bhagwant Mann on law and order situation in Punjab
It triggered a political storm in Punjab, with the opposition citing the instructions as evidence of growing security concerns facing police personnel and attacking the Bhagwant Mann government over law and order. The Punjab Police, however, denied the existence of any such advisory. They have also been advised to take precautions before entering markets, residential areas and other places, while ensuring that their identity and movement do not become predictable during travel by private vehicles, buses, trains or police vehicles. Officers and control points are to be informed about a personnel’s departure and safe arrival.
The order, dated September 18, further asked personnel, as far as possible, not to travel alone and instead follow the Buddy Pair System.
Punjab opposition leaders, including Congress state chief Amarinder Raja Warring and Akali Dal general secretary Bikram Majithia, had posted an “advisory” issued by the Inspector General of Police, Border Range, Amritsar, to the SSPs of Amritsar Rural, Batala, Gurdaspur and Pathankot. Police personnel have been told not to unnecessarily move around in uniform while travelling to or from duty points, according to the advisory posted on X by Warring and Majithia. At nakas and checking points, the “order” called for 360-degree security coverage, dispersal of personnel instead of congregating at one location and deployment of an armed and vigilant sentry at a secure position.
