After seeking the State government’s nod for going on deputation to the Centre, Uttar Pradesh Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) Arun Kumar proceeded on leave from Thursday. Even as unofficial sources claimed that Mr. Kumar had gone on a week’s leave, IG (Law and Order) R.K. Vishwakarma said, “The ADG is on leave for two days and has gone to Shirdi.”
The ADG’s action has triggered speculation that the sudden development was linked to reported police failure to control communal violence in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining districts. He had camped in Muzaffarnagar from September 8, a day after the communal clashes erupted, and was there for about a week supervising law and order.
However, Mr. Vishwakarma said Mr. Kumar had given his representation for proceeding on Central deputation “before the communal violence erupted.”
While the IG said an official going on deputation was a routine process which took at least nine months to materialise, Special Secretary (Home) Vireshwar Singh told reporters that the government ( shaashan ) had not received any letter from Mr. Kumar.
It is alleged that the officer was unhappy with political interference in policing in Muzaffarnagar. But The IG denied that political pressure was exerted on the police.
