U.P.’s new DGP Sulkham Singh warns cow vigilantes

“Police will work in unbiased manner”

April 22, 2017 07:04 pm | Updated 09:53 pm IST - Lucknow

Newly appointed DGP Sulkham Singh meets Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in Lucknow on Saturday. Photo credit: @myogiadityanath

Newly appointed DGP Sulkham Singh meets Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in Lucknow on Saturday. Photo credit: @myogiadityanath

Taking charge of the State, the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh Sulkhan Singh on Saturday sent a strong message to all forms of vigilantism, be it cow protection or moral policing.

Mr. Singh said no citizen has the “right to intervene” in the name of gau raksha or moral policing.

“Whoever gets into vigilantism, we will take strict action against them. We appeal to the people that if they get information about such people, they should tip off the police,” Mr. Singh said here, addressing the media in his first press interaction after taking over the post of Uttar Pradesh’s top cop.

The names of the people who assist the police would not be made public, he assured.

People’s safety is priority

Mr. Singh said the priority of the police was the “safety of the people” and “protection of their rights and dignity” along with the other priorities set by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

“There will be no relaxation or laxity towards anybody in a criminal case,” Mr. Singh said.

He also affirmed that bad behaviour from policemen would be dealt with firmly. There will be “zero tolerance” to corruption within the police, he said, adding that he would also order the necessary transfers and take action on specific complaints against his officers.

“I assure the police force they don’t need to fear anything. They have nothing to worry but their conduct,” Mr. Singh said.

Mr. Singh, a 1989 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, hails from the Banda district of Bundelkhand. He is the seniormost IPS officer in U.P. and was previously the chief of the State’s police training department.

He replaces Javeed Ahmed, who has been appointed the DGP of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, commonly known as the PAC.

Born in 1957, Mr. Singh graduated in civil engineering before completing his post graduate diploma in structural engineering. He also holds a degree in law.

No one spared

Mr. Singh also stressed that those involved in goondagardi (hooliganism) would not be spared even if they were VIPs or belonged to ruling party. He additionally clarified on anti-Romeo squads, saying the policing would continue, but undercover and not as a drive.

“The policemen deployed will be briefed directly by the SPs (Superintendents of Police),” he said. Mr. Singh also promised “uniform action” against all wrongdoers without any bias or consideration for political connections of the accused or suspects. “The CM has clearly instructed us that the police should work in an unbiased manner and act against all, be it from ruling party or anyone else,” he said.

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