CHANDIGARH: Shortly after he took charge as the new director general of police (DGP) of Haryana, 1988-batch IPS officer Prashanta Kumar Agrawal on Monday said he had zero tolerance rotten apples within the force and warned officials indulging in wrong doings.
Agrawal’s warming came in an interaction with media after he joined the new post at police headquarters in Panchkula. “We don’t say the entire police force has to be blamed for a few rotten apples. We have zero tolerance for such people. We will bring such people to book under relevant laws, and also initiate stringent departmental action against them,’’ said Agrawal.
Agrawal was responding to a query related to a Haryana Police recruitment test where a couple of cops were found to be involved in cheating and impersonating candidates, and have been arrested by Karnal and Kaithal police.
Referring to his challenges, the new DGP said narco-terrorism, drugs and cyber frauds would be his priority, in addition to the regular policing related to law and order, safety and security of women, children and senior citizen, and weeding out corrpution.
The DGP also expressed gratitude to chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and home minister Anil Vij.
“We shall ensure grievances are redressed in the minimum time. Improvement is continuous,’’ said DGP.
Referring to farmers agitation, DGP said, “Protesting is a democratic right; it has to be (observed) within the frame of law of the of the land. Farmers are also part of the state. We expect them to be law-abiding citizens,’’ he said.
Before he took charge of the post, a guard of honour was presented to the new police chief of the state.
DGP (crime) Mohammad Akil, Haryana Police Housing Corporation managing director R C Mishra, DGP (prisons) Shatrujeet Kapoor, ADGP (modernisation and welfare) Alok Roy, ADGP (administration) A S Chawla, ADGP (law and order) Navdeep Singh Virk, ADGP (headquarters) Kala Ramachandran, and other senior police officers were present.
Best stint, says outgoing DGP
Interacting with media, outgoing DGP Manoj Yadava termed his tenure as the state’s top cop as his best stint. Yadav treaded cautiously while referring to his relationship with Hatyana home minister Anil Vij and chose to keep mum when asked to comment. He elaborated upon the role of police during the Covid-19 lockdown, inception of Dial 112 and elimination of gangs during his tennure
