Harpreet Sidhu back as STF chief
Friday, 19/07/2019
https://www.brightpunjabexpress.com/index.php/2019/07/18/harpreet-sidhu-back-as-stf-chief/
CHANDIGARH : Additional Director General of Punjab Police Harpreet Singh Sidhu has been reappointed as the chief of the Special Task Force on drugs, replacing Gurpreet Deo. While the decision has widely been hailed across the state since Sidhu is considered to be ideally suited for the job, it also signals a change in the power equilibrium within the Punjab Police. Immediately after the Congress formed government in the state under Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Sidhu was recalled from his deputation in the Central Reserve Police Force. He was leading the CRPF in fight against the Maoists. His appointment at that time conveyed a strong message about the government’s seriousness in curbing the menace of drug pedaling in the state, which was eating into its vitals and in fact continues even till now. However, Sidhu was unceremoniously first divested of the powers and made to report to the Director General of Police, Suresh Arora, with whom he did not enjoy a very comfortable relationship and subsequently completely divested off the important charge and appointed as Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office. Under the original arrangement he was supposed to report directly to the Chief Minister. Sidhu had in his first term as the STF acted tough and had caught and nailed some big fish in the drug trade including a serving Punjab Police inspector Inderjeet Singh. However, the probe ran into rough weather as Inderjeet’s arrest created ripples within the Punjab Police with a section of officers gunning for Sidhu. During this interim period STF saw a few heads including the senior most officer in the Punjab Police, Director General of Police Mohammad Mustafa also being given the charge for sometime. However, the fight against the drugs was seen to be weakening with reports of drug pedaling coming from across the state. Besides, there were reports of continued availability of the drugs much to the concern of the government. Having proved his mettle during his the first term, the government eventually decided to recall him to head the STF once again, surprising one and all in the government in general and the police in particular. It is no secret that Sidhu did not enjoy a cordial relationship with his previous boss Suresh Arora. Although it in no way affected the functioning of the STF, the government decided to bring the STF under the control of the DGP with Sidhu being made to report to the DGP, instead of the Chief Minister, as was the original arrangement. Although the new orders have not clarified as whom Sidhu would be reporting to during his second term and there is every likelihood that he will be reporting to the DGP instead of directly reporting to the Chief Minister lest it again leads to bickering, given the past experience, the situation may likely remain congenial this time as everyone appears to have learnt his lessons well. His reappointment has once again indicated the government’s seriousness in fighting the drug menace in the state. It has also conveyed a strong message that the Chief Minister was actually concerned and serious about the problem by choosing an officer who may not necessarily be enjoying the right equation with the Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta, but is competent enough to handle the job he is being assigned with. But then the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder is known for taking his own decisions over and above any influences, preferences and prejudices as long as he thinks and believes that he is doing it in the interest of the state that always remains paramount, come what may.
