The State Government recalled an IPS officer, whom it shunted to a post considered ‘non-ceremonious’ recently, to expedited the rescue operations in disaster-affected area.
The State Government asked the State police headquarter to send IPS Sanjay Gunjyal to monitor the rescue operation as “he is a bright officer and he could do things well”. Gunjyal, presently posted as Deputy Inspector General of PAC, left for the spot on Thursday morning. Gunjyal, along with his team of officers, would monitor rescue operations in Gauri Kund and Guptkashi. The State
Government transferred him to the post of DIG PAC recently. There was no concrete reason behind transfer of Gunjyal. Sources at the police headquarters said that a senior minister in the State Government asked the police headquarters for sending Gunjyal to Kedar Valley area. The same leader played a proactive role in getting
Gunjyal transferred to PAC from the then Nainital range which was merged into Kumaon range recently. The leader in his message to the police headquarters underlined, “Gunjyal as a bright officer who is required to look after the rescue operation being carried out the rescue teams jointly. He can deal with the terrifying situation that has emerged after the disaster.”
Well-placed sources said that the senior politician, who was proactive in getting Gunjyal shifted to the PAC, could not speak even a single word in the matter when his counterpart made this communication to the police headquarters. He remained tongue-tied.
It was the same politician who got posted officer of his choice in Kumaon range. He didn’t recall the officer at this very moment of urgency. Strangely, he did not mention name of the officer of his choice even once for monitoring the rescue operation that is in progress in tough terrains.
At police headquarters, a term, ‘To bulana hi para Gunjyal Sahab Ko,’ is doing rounds. A source, who doesn’t wish to be quoted, said, “The State Government has started recalling active officers who perform in true terms. Some more talented officers might be pressed for the job. But strangely, the Government recalls such officers during the emergency hours.”
Gunjyal’s team comprises superintendent of police (State Crime Record Bureau) Nilesh Anand Bharne and two officers of additional superintendent of police rank. They all reached the spot and started functioning. “The active officers are recalled in the hours of urgency. When they don’t suite the Government, they are transferred for no reason,” an officer remarked with a comment that “strange are the dynamics of politics”.