After sending a strong message to the minority community by appointing two Muslim officers on top bureaucratic and police posts of the State, Samajwadi Party’s government had reportedly made another move to further appease the community by giving extension to Director General of Police, Rizwan Ahmed. Ahmed, who also enjoy the post of DG (Railways) is set to retire on February 28 this year.
``State government had already made a secret move to appease the minority community and had dispatched a letter to the Centre to give six months extension to DGP Rizwan Ahmed", revealed a high-level source in the Government. He claimed that state government had power to give three months extension but the Centre could do the same for six-months at a time so State government had dispatched a proposal in this regard to take propel approval before making the announcement. Sources also said that as both Samajwadi Party and Congress were leaving no chance to oblige the members of minority community so State government hope of getting a approval order in this regard. Sources also confirmed that that government is making the
above move despite of knowing it well that Election Commission would not allow Rizwan to continue as DGP once the code of conduct would come into force. Rizwan, who is already known for his proximity with the Samajwadi Party would further get the SP’s tag after getting the extension. However, SP wanted that if Rizwan would continue than they will get a `loyal’ officer and even if he is removed, even then a message would be sent to the community about SP’s concern towards them. Sources also confirmed that if Rizwan will be removed by EC than AK Gupta would be top contender for the post besides Al Banerjee.
It may be mentioned that Samajwadi Party’s government had already made several efforts to appease the members of minority community like by making move to withdraw terror cases against the members of minority community though they failed due to intervention of the higher courts, announcing compensation just for Muslims in connection with riots which the government also forced to withdraw after Apex Court issued direction in this regard, recent alleged move of planning to withdraw cases against all members of a particular community who were named in the FIR for their involvement in riots at Muzaffarnagar and Shamli districts.