Punjab Cops Seek Better Protection After Underworld Threats

PATIALA – Senior PunjabPolice officers behind the internationaldrug smuggling racketbust have sought “more securitypersonnel during field duty”fearing threat to their lives fromthe arrested drug lords and theirring. The officers include a servingDeputy Superintendent ofPolice, two inspectors and a subinspector.The police officers, whohave conducted important investigationsin the case, now wantto enhance their security fearingthreat to their lives as well as thatof their families. Sources in thepolice department said investigationsmade after drug lord JagdishSingh Bhola and his NRIassociate Anup Singh Kahlon’sarrest had revealed the allegedlinks of these peddlers with theunderworld and conmen settledabroad.Sources said this was perhapsthe first time since themilitancy era that senior policeofficers had sought enhancedprotection apprehending threatto their lives.“We cannot take chances asmany of the arrested drug smugglersshare close proximity tosenior politicians in Punjab andtherefore the investigating officershave every right to be cautious,”said a police officer facinga threat to his life.He said the nexus was spreadin many countries and drugsworth over Rs 5,000 crore in theinternational market had beenseized from their associates.“These people have namedsome top politicians and there isno point taking chances,” the officersaid. Nabha Deputy Superintendentof Police Arshdeep Singhsaid fearing threat to his life, hehad taken up the matter with thePatiala Senior Superintendent ofPolice and the security wing ofthe state police.“The accused and theirclose associates have made amplemoney through drugs andare well connected in India andabroad. I have requested formore security during work andalso for my family members,” hetold The Tribune.Banur Station House OfficerBikramjit Singh Brar, who arrestedJagdish Singh Bhola and ishandling the case in which chemicalsand drugs worth over Rs1,500 crore had been seized, saidthese criminals had links with allkinds of wrong people.“I have apprised my seniorsof the issue and have been morethan careful ever since I arrestedBhola on November 11,” he said.Nabha Station House OfficerDevinder Attri, inspector andformer SHO of Fatehgarh Sahib,who was investigating the caseinvolving NRI smuggler AnupSingh Kahlon, said he had alsosought extra security as he facedthreat to his life.“Bhola is an internationalsmuggler with a wide networkand links with top criminals,” hesaid. CIA inspector Avtar Singhhad also written for enhanced securitycover, he added.Patiala Senior Superintendentof Police Hardyal SinghMann said these officers hadrequested for enhanced securityand their demand was being forwarded.Additional Director Generalof Police (Security) Dinkar Guptasaid he had not received anyrequest from these officers so farbut would extend all support tothe officers.“All demands of the officersassociated with this case wouldbe fulfilled as the entire team haddone a commendable work,” hesaid.