Punjab policemen to return awards on Oct. 21

JALANDHAR, SEPT. 2. Personnel of the Punjab police, facing prosecution for alleged human rights violation - committed during the days of militancy in the State - today decided to return their gallantry awards to the President on October 21, Police Martyrs Day. At a meeting of the `Zinda Shaheed Police Officers Welfare Association,' it was also decided to file a case in the Supreme Court against the top hierarchy of the State police and the Home Department, under the directions of which policemen killed militants. The association president, Mr. Sardool Singh, a retired Superintendent of Police, told presspersons that the personnel had been forced to take the decision of returning their medals as neither the State Government nor the police department had taken any concrete measures to withdraw the cases and inquiries against them.

``All decisions pertaining to encounters were taken by the police hierarchy either at the district level or at times, at the State level. The junior ranks just carried out these orders,'' Mr. Singh said, pointing out that no senior officer had been prosecuted so far.

- UNI

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