In a significant administrative overhaul, the Punjab government has announced fresh postings for 22 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. This large-scale reshuffle comes on the heels of their recent promotions, aiming to place experienced officers in key positions across the state's law enforcement apparatus.
Major Appointments and Key District Postings
The orders, issued by the state's Home Department, see several officers taking charge as Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) in crucial districts. Gurpreet Singh Bhullar has been appointed as the SSP of Fazilka district. Similarly, Surendra Lamba will now head the police force in Pathankot as its SSP.
Other notable appointments include Rohit Chaudhary moving to Mansa as SSP, and Surendra Kumar being posted as the SSP of Barnala. The reshuffle also affects the state's specialized units. Opinderjit Singh Ghuman has been given the responsibility of commanding the 7th Battalion of the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) in Jalandhar.
Promotions Preceding the Transfers
This wave of transfers is directly linked to the recent promotion of these officers to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) rank by the state government. The promotions were approved based on their service records and seniority, paving the way for their deployment in higher-capacity roles. The postings are intended to bring fresh leadership and administrative experience to various districts and units.
Complete List of Officer Transfers
The comprehensive transfer order includes a wide array of postings beyond the district SSP roles. Here is a detailed look at some of the other key assignments:
- Rupinder Kaur Sran posted as AIG/Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in the Punjab Police Headquarters, Chandigarh.
- Jagjit Singh appointed as AIG in the Provisioning and Logistics wing at the Punjab Police Headquarters.
- Gaurav Garg assigned the role of AIG in the Internal Vigilance Cell at the Headquarters.
- Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh posted as AIG in the Chief Minister's Office.
- Prabhjot Singh appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate.
- Himanshu Gupta posted as Commandant of the 3rd Battalion of PAP in Amritsar.
- Barjinder Singh Uppal appointed as Commandant of the 4th Battalion of PAP in Faridkot.
- Jagdeep Singh posted as Commandant of the 6th Battalion of PAP in Kapurthala.
The orders mandate that the officers assume their new responsibilities without delay. The state government has directed them to join their assigned posts at the earliest, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership and continuity in policing and administrative functions.
Implications for Law and Order in Punjab
This major IPS reshuffle in Punjab is a strategic move by the state administration. Placing newly promoted officers in field commands and headquarters roles is expected to inject new energy into policing strategies. The postings in districts like Fazilka and Pathankot, which are sensitive border areas, are particularly significant for maintaining security and law and order.
Such periodic reshuffles are common in state cadres to prevent complacency, bring in new perspectives, and align the police leadership with the current administrative priorities of the government. The scale of this transfer list, involving 22 senior officers, underscores a concerted effort to optimize the state's police leadership following the recent promotions.
