Meghalaya DGP Swaraj Bir Singh (right), receiving the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2016
By Ajai Shukla
Business Standard, 12th June 18
Three months after the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) political coup in Meghalaya, when the party leadership – with just two representatives elected to the new assembly – cobbled together a government led by the National People’s Party (NPP), Chief Minister (CM) Conrad Sangma is discovering the costs of the BJP’s support.
On Monday morning, in Shillong, the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) Swaraj Bir Singh submitted his resignation to Sangma over the proposed appointment of BJP-linked former police officer, Kulbir Krishan as “security advisor” to the state government.
Singh, who the Sangma government gave an extension of service as DGP in April, is learnt to have refused to work with Krishan, and not even meet him.
Kulbir Krishan is regarded in police circles as “controversial”. In the early-2000s, then Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief, Shyamal Datta, posted him out of the bureau over allegations relating to his personal life. Later, abortive attempts to appoint Krishan IB chief foundered after resistance from the organization.
In 2013, when Krishan was DGP Meghalaya, the Election Commission ordered him moved out before elections.
In contrast Singh is well respected in the service and is regarded as having performed creditably as DGP since his appointment in December 2016. Sangma has not accepted his resignation and urged him to continue.
Contacted by Business Standard, Singh declined to comment on the issue.
“The post of “security advisor” to the government is a superfluous one that undermines the DGP, in order to accommodate political appointees”, says Patricia Mukhim, the well-respected editor of the Shillong Times.
It remains unclear why Meghalaya requires a “security advisor” at all. It has not had one since Rajiv Mehta left two years ago. Especially now since militancy has been officially declared as over.
Mehta was appointed at the time of growing militancy in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills region. However vigorous counter-insurgency operations, conducted by the state police under Singh, had practically quashed armed militancy by early-2018.
Further, Singh is regarded as having handled the confrontation in Shillong in May between Khasi tribal groups and the Sikh Mazhabiya settlers with tact and sensitivity. While the complex issue continues to simmer, locals appreciate the police for ensuring no lives were lost.
Meghalaya is one of the most sensitive states of the north-east, with a complex tribal matrix and a sensitive border with Bangladesh. It includes three ethnicity-based regions: the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills.
Meghalaya was a part of Assam until 1970, when it was designated an Autonomous State. It was upgraded to a full-fledged state in early 1972.
Meghalaya has enjoyed broad political stability since 2003, with the Congress forming the government throughout, except for a year in 2008. In March, after a close state election, in which the Congress emerged the largest party with 21 seats in the 60-seat assembly, the BJP brokered an alliance that brought together 34 legislators.
On March 6, Conrad Sangma was invited to form the government.
Namaskar Desh Bhakts,
ReplyDeleteSwayamsevak Kulbir Krishna Ji may be unaware, that he can now apply under a new scheme for direct entry into a joint secretary post with the IAS, we will be willing to further promote him from there.
Although a IAS joint secretary position may seem to be a bit of a come down for a senior IPS officer, nevertheless he will be given the pay scale at the upper limit for a joint secretary which is Rs 2.99 lakh per month, plus perks like government accommodation and a vehicle and I have already mentioned further accelerated promotion.
He may contact our special Prachark for our RSS IAS officers.
This is scheme is called “The lateral entry exercise, aimed at bringing the brightest RSS cadre into government to augment manpower”.
Jai Shree Ram Ji
Jai Narendra Modi Ji
If this Kulbir Krishan is so desperate for a job post retirement (perhaps he has a large family to support) his friend the CM should create a new department for him to head, like perhaps.
ReplyDeleteThe Meghalaya State Ship Registry, duties to include Policeing visiting Seagoing vessels for contraband.
This will ensure he has very little work and the posting will not cause controversy.
Congress leaning Mr. Shukla is all set for 2019 now reporting on state police matters as well. Congi created political - media nexus will be in full bloom before may 2019.
ReplyDeleteThis article shows your anti-BJP bias. Its more political than anything to do with defense related matters.
ReplyDelete> On Monday morning, in Shillong, the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) Swaraj Bir Singh submitted his resignation to Sangma over the proposed appointment of BJP-linked former police officer, Kulbir Krishan as “security advisor” to the state government. Singh, who the Sangma government gave an extension of service as DGP in April, is learnt to have refused to work with Krishan, and not even meet him.
ReplyDeleteIts the prerogative of the democratically elected govt. to formulate security policies. You seem to be under the impression that BJP specifically does not have the legitimacy to do this and want a theoretically apolitical and professional and technocratic elite to do this, in this case the DGP, Mr Singh. This looks like yet another case of the english speaking native informant class believing that it has a legitimate claim to formulating policy, cutting out the political class entirely and regardless of any democratic, sovereign, political will expressed by the people.
I think, you and the Shillong Times editor are fundamentally wrong in your understanding of how a democracy is supposed to work.
Very commendable display of professional pride. Army generals should learn from this DG Police.
ReplyDeleteI thought your area of concern was Defence particlarly mud and dust corps and arms lobby. Now you have started muddling in khaki waters too !!
ReplyDelete