Sunday, May 05, 2002
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By Manas Dasgupta
Mr. Gill, who arrived here last night even before an official notification of his appointment was given, has taken over charge. In an apparent about-turn, the State Government claimed today that Mr. Gill had been sent to Gujarat at the Chief Minister's "request''. Mr. Modi's office, which till Friday said that it had no knowledge of Mr. Gill's appointment nor was there any instruction to arrange for office space, said that Mr. Gill could select a suitable office for himself. Sources in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which maintained that Mr. Gill had been "imposed'' on the State by the Centre, gave a clue to the CMO's (Chief Minister's Office) stand yesterday. Apparently, Mr. Modi, till the last moment, was trying to resist Mr. Gill's appointment, but was forced by the Centre which acted under Article 355 of the Constitution — as assured in the Rajya Sabha. Mr. Modi is believed to have had a telephonic talk with the Union Home Minister, L.K. Advani, before Mr. Gill met him informally immediately after his arrival. Government sources, however, are still tight-lipped on Mr. Gill's role, his jurisdiction and authority. It is still not clear whether he would report directly to the Centre or to the Chief Minister but the sources admitted that the Security Adviser would have the authority over the entire law and order machinery including transfers and postings of the top police officials. The Director General of Police, K Chakravarthi, who was virtually acting as the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner for the last fortnight after the last bout of violence, returned to the DGP's office here today. Mr. Modi told mediapersons that Mr. Gill's appointment was in keeping with the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission which had suggested "professionalisation of the State police force.'' He said a professional such as Mr. Gill with his vast experience and competence to handle difficult situations — as he demonstrated in Punjab — would go a long way in restoring normality in the riot-torn State. Border States such as Gujarat faced peculiar problems of international drugs and arms trafficking and the police intelligence also needed to be re-oriented accordingly. Mr. Gill's experience of handling the border State of Punjab would come in handy in tackling the problems facing Gujarat, he said. Mr. Modi claimed that Mr. Gill was "in my mind'' after receiving the NHRC recommendations and it was at his request that the Centre agreed to send him here. Mr. Gill spent the day visiting the riot-affected areas of Ahmedabad. Mr. Gill's arrival, however, has not pleased the Sangh Parivar which feels that he could "spoil'' the ruling BJP's Hindu vote bank if he acts tough against the perpetrators of violence. Meanwhile, there was improvement in the law and order situation in the State with no untoward incidents reported in the last few days. In some places, the minorities, particularly those who had taken shelter in the relief camps out of fear, have started returning to their homes, according to the organisers of some of the relief camps.
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