Bathinda (Gurpreet Singh): In a firm display of administrative accountability, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ordered the immediate transfer of the entire staff of the Sadar Police Station in Bathinda on Sunday. The directive came during a public grievance meeting held at the Balwant Gargi Auditorium, where the Chief Minister was confronted with serious allegations regarding the local police’s failure to combat the drug menace. Lakha Singh, the Sarpanch of Gulabgarh village, personally briefed the Chief Minister on the rampant drug trafficking in his area, noting that despite multiple fatalities and repeated reports to the station, no significant enforcement action had been taken.
Visibly displeased by the reports of negligence, Chief Minister Mann questioned why narcotics enforcement was stalling despite his government’s strict mandate. He emphasized that the public should not be forced to repeatedly complain about issues as critical as drug-related deaths. While the Chief Minister initially considered transferring the personnel to the border district of Pathankot, senior police officials later coordinated the logistics to move the staff within the administrative range to ensure immediate implementation of the order.
Bathinda Range DIG Harjeet Singh confirmed that all employees of the Sadar Police Station have been transferred to Mansa district to facilitate a complete overhaul of the station’s operations. The DIG stated that a new team would be appointed immediately to restore public confidence and address the security concerns of the local residents. This mass transfer serves as a stern warning to law enforcement officials across the state regarding professional accountability and the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward narcotics.
Beyond the transfers, a formal inquiry has been launched to investigate the specific reasons behind the Sadar Police Station’s failure to act on intelligence provided by local leaders. Officials have promised that the probe will look into potential professional negligence or collusion with traffickers. The Chief Minister’s decisive action underscores a growing push for transparency and responsiveness within the Punjab Police as the state continues its battle against substance abuse.
