Cops refuse to be part of Bains’s security

Payal Dhawan | TNN | Updated: Apr 15, 2020, 11:48 IST

LUDHIANA: The statement of Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simrajit Singh Bains that attack by Nihangs on cops in Patiala was a “public backlash against police for beating up residents” has left him without security.
Expressing resentment over the statement, four cops of Punjab Police have refused to be part of the MLA’s security. On Tuesday morning, all four cops, including a sub-inspector and three constables, gave a letter to police commissioner Rakesh Agarwal.
About the incident in which a hand of ASI Harjeet Singh was chopped off by Nihangs, Bains gave a statement on Monday that the attack was an act of rage against the police, who had been brutally thrashing residents recently. About Nihangs picking up swords, he said it could be their revenge against the police.
However, on Tuesday, the MLA said his statement was misinterpreted as he had never justified the act of Nihangs.
Bains said, “Four policemen who were part of my security have been asked to report to the Police Lines. I never supported the assault on the ASI, but had criticised black sheep in the police force, who have been badly beating up people. I have also sent my team members to Patiala to meet the ASI’s family. This is a political vendetta of the Congress government against me. My quote has been misinterpreted. Moreover, security is not mandatory in politics.”
Police commissioner Rakesh Agarwal said, “All four gunmen have refused to work with the MLA after his statement and other cops also don’t want to work with him.” About security of the MLA in future, Agarwal said, “We will see.”
The sub-inspector, who was in charge of the MLA’s security, told the TOI, “I had been working with MLA Bains for the past over a year. His statement is condemnable and against the police department. Therefore, I do not want to work for him. My colleagues are also of the same mind. Therefore, we requested the CP to appoint us elsewhere.”