Date:23/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/23/stories/2007012303240900.htm

National

R.S. Gill takes over as Punjab DGP

Staff Correspondent

Reviews arrangements for Assembly elections

CHANDIGARH: R.S. Gill, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1973 batch, on Monday took over as Punjab's new Director General of Police (DGP), replacing S. S. Virk, who the Election Commission of India had debarred from election related duty.

Mr. Gill was DGP, Training-cum-Director, Punjab Police Academy at Phillaur before taking over his new assignment.

Meanwhile, Mr. Virk has been posted as DGP-cum-Chairman of the Punjab Police Housing Corporation.

According to an official release, a brief ceremony was held in the DGP's office , where Mr. Virk formally handed the charge to the new incumbent and wished him a successful tenure.

The brass of the State police was also present on the occasion.

Guard of honour

Later, both the officers accepted a Guard of Honour within the premises of the Punjab Police headquarters.

Subsequently, Mr. Gill presided over a high level meeting of senior police officers to review the arrangements made for the coming Assembly elections on February 13, .

In a presentation made on the occasion, senior officers told Mr. Gill that the State police was fully competent to conduct the Assembly polls in a free and fair manner.