Jat stir: 90 officials found negligent by committee

Chandigarh, May 13: The Prakash Singh Committee report on Jat agitation has identified about 90 officials who indulged in "deliberate negligence" when violence hit Haryana, noting that in some areas "mayhem" was allowed for hours, with authorities turning a blind eye to the loot and damage.

Detailing the situation during the height of the violence that took place in February, the Committee said in one instance a police official was so scared that he ran away while judicial officers rattled by the rampage even took off their nameplates outside their houses to save themselves from attacks.

Prakash Singh, former DGP of UP and Assam, who submitted the report to the government today, however, said that he has not suggested suspension or dismissal of "negligent" officials.

After receiving the report, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the government would examine it and take appropriate action at the earliest.

"Around 90 officers, including IAS and IPS officers, were found indulging in deliberate negligence during Jat agitation. We have made adverse comments against them in the report which was submitted today," Singh said after submitting the report.

"Out of these officers, one third were in Rohtak, which saw maximum violence and damage during the Jat stir," Singh said.

The committee inquired into the role of officers from the rank of Sub Inspector till SP in police and Naib Tehsildar or Duty Magistrate till the rank of Deputy Commissioner in civil administration.

It also examined the role of officers in the affected districts of Rohtak, Jhajjar, Jind, Hisar, Kaithal, Bhiwani, Sonepat and Panipat.

Noting glaring negligence on the part of some officials in violence-hit areas, the former DGP said, "In some areas, it seems, they allowed (mayhem) for hours. I heard from victims who said officials did nothing. They virtually allowed loot and damage by arsonists. We have identified those officials."

Singh said he had found there was complete "lawlessness" in some areas.

"In one sub-division, violence took place for several hours. It seems full freedom was given by officers of that area, including SDM and DSP, for loot and violence to happen. Arsonist looted for six hours. We identified them (officials) and asked for strict action against them," Singh said, while refusing to share the area and names of officials.

"Some people while saving themselves said we did not get orders from seniors. I told them why do you need orders. Houses were being burnt and people were being beaten up and you needed orders. You have rights under Criminal Procedure Code to maintain law and order. It is your responsibility to control the situation," said Singh.

He further said there was confusion in the minds of officials on whether to take action or not.

"Some felt that if they take action and if somebody dies and then will the government defend them or not. It was in their minds. Some even said situation may turn worse. I asked a SHO why he did not save his police station. He said if he used force, they (arsonists) will bash them. One even said that he got scared and he ran away," he said.

Haryana was rattled by widespread violence during Jat agitation in February which had left 30 people dead with large-scale damage to property in several areas.

State government had appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Singh on February 25 to inquire into the acts of omission and commission on part of police and civil administration officials from February 7 to February 22.

The Committee, which submitted its report within 71 days from the date of formation, hoped that the government would take strict action against those who did not perform their duty in maintaining law and order during the agitation.

"I think the state government will take action and I have got indication that the government wants to prepare action taken report as soon as possible," he said.

"It is important to take strict action against guilty officers to send right message across the officials. If they get away then such kind of violence can be repeated," he said.

However, he further said this report was not binding upon the state government.
Singh said the Commission had heard 2,217 people and recorded their statements.

"We visited places which saw large-scale violence and damage to public property. We met people and also received written statements, affidavits and even memorandum from people. We also got 142 video footage which we analysed during inquiry," he said.

The entire proceedings were video recorded and the hard disc of these recordings would be submitted to Home Department for their record, he said.

The Commission had also met eight judicial officers in Rohtak who strongly criticised the role of district administration during the stir.

"Judicial officers said there was no police and there was no administration and we have quoted it in our report. They were upset. They told us that they were so scared that they had even taken off their nameplates outside their houses to save themselves from any attack," he said.

On "security withdrawal" of judicial officers, he said there was no intention to withdraw their security cover.

"Wherever the need for more security personnel was required they were sent there. In this process, their security cover may have become less. It is not government's intention to withdraw their security," he said.

The Commission submitted its report in two volumes. The first volume of 414 pages contained report and annexures while second report of 37 pages was related to intelligence which will go to the Home Department and DGP.

On the issue of political involvement in the widespread violence during Jat agitation, the Commission said the inquiry was confined only into the acts of omission and commission of police and civil administration officials.

"We have not gone into it as far as role of political involvement is concerned. Justice Jha Commission has been formed by the government which is mandated to probe the conspiracy behind the violence," he said.

To a query on reports of intelligence failure during the agitation, Singh said there was no negligence as far as intelligence was concerned.

On reports that officials of a particular caste did not act against arsonists, he said the committee did not make any caste-wise analysis of officers and officials.

"We have not done any caste-wise analysis. Those who have not performed duty they have not performed. I do not care to which caste they belong to," he said.

On the Murthal incident, he said the committee did not inquire into it though it went there, saying SIT was already working on the issue.

He said in Jhajjar, there was no coordination between civil and police administration.
To a query, he said he had learnt that Jha Commission had also demanded a copy of the report.

Prakash Singh was assisted by K P Singh, DG Crime (presently Director General of Police) and Vijai Vardhan, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education, Archives and Cultural Affairs Department in preparing the report.