Saharanpur top cop shunted: Routine transfer or bid to end tussle with BJP MP? - Hindustan Times
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Saharanpur top cop shunted: Routine transfer or bid to end tussle with BJP MP?

Hindustan Times, Meerut | ByS. Raju
Apr 27, 2017 09:47 PM IST

Saharanpur’s BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal allegedly led a mob and barged into the residence of Saharanpur SSP Luv Kumar to protest an attack on their procession through a restricted route to mark the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar.

The Yogi Adityanath government’s decision to transfer Saharanpur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Luv Kumar to Noida is being seen as an attempt to put an end to confrontation between the district police chief and Saharanpur’s BJP Lok Sabha member Raghav Lakhanpal.

Political leaders allege that Saharanpur’s BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal allegedly led a mob and barged into the residence of Saharanpur SSP Luv Kumar.(Photo: Raghav Lakhanpal’s Twitter account)
Political leaders allege that Saharanpur’s BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal allegedly led a mob and barged into the residence of Saharanpur SSP Luv Kumar.(Photo: Raghav Lakhanpal’s Twitter account)

A delegation of MPs from west Uttar Pradesh, led by Union minister Sanjeev Baliyan, met chief minister Adityanath on Wednesday evening to discuss the issue.

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They briefed the CM about the role of Lakhanpal and the local MLAs in allegedly inciting workers to take out a procession through a restricted route in Doodhli village to mark the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar.

When the BJP leaders took out the procession without the permission of the district administration, the local residents protested and pelted stones at them.

Later, a mob allegedly led by Lakhanpal barged into the residence of Luv Kumar and went on a rampage to protest the attack on their procession.

The CM directed the district administration to take action against the culprits irrespective of their party affiliation. An FIR was lodged against the BJP MP, MLAs and their supporters.

Addressing media persons on Wednesday, inspector general (public grievance) Vijay Singh Meena said police arrested 16 people named in the FIR and attempts were on to nab the other accused who were absconding.

Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav also demanded an inquiry and sent an investigating team of Samajwadi Party leaders to Saharanpur on Wednesday.

Residents of Saharanpur, however, believe that the SSP was transferred to keep political influence of the ruling party’s MP and MLAs intact.

Appreciating the work of the SSP, shahr qazi (Islamic cleric) Nadeem said Luv Kumar was made the scapegoat due to political compulsions. “He had to be transferred otherwise it would have been a defeat of political leaders which they would not have been able to digest,” he said.

City-based entrepreneur Shishir Joshi said the SSP was transferred under political pressure. “The SSP had earned the reputation of an honest and upright officer during his stint here,” he said.

Jaswinder Singh, a businessman, said the name of Luv Kumar was included in the list to project it as a routine transfer but people could see the truth.

Criticising the Adityanath government’s decision, Samajwadi Party district president Jagpal Das said the move would demoralise honest officers.

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