DEAR SARDAR SAHIB:
It is highly regretful that your political willingness to nail the former DGP S S Virk has ended as an empty exercise. His suspension has been revoked by the Central Administrative Tribunal, Chandigarh. The rebuke of the judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court at the time of granting him bail was also an admonition for your legal department. Apart from arresting him, your inability to move a step further in probing his extra-constitutional role and methods during militancy period, has disappointed the Sikhs at large. Though this blow to justice will hinder the respect for rule of law, it is a challenge to your government which you must accept and adequately respond.

Many a time in the past, you have shown scant regard for rule of law and justice. We believe that you were not serious. You need to inform the people about the so-called nationalistic reasons and circumstances that made a Maharashtra cadre officer stay in Punjab for so long and the reasons for your recommendation of extension of his tenure. The Tiwari report on the disappearance of former Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaonke is still under wraps.

The impugned police officer Sarabdeep Singh Virk has proudly claimed that he has been working outside the ambit of law through Cats –vigilante personnel owing allegiance to officers and no one else. He has also proclaimed that there are more than 300 of them in Punjab.

For justice seekers, the question is not of Mr S.S. Virk alone. The question is of rule of law. The recent petition filed by head constable Satnam Singh Manak in the Punjab & Haryana High Court wherein he has mentioned graphic details of being a witness to extrajudicial killings in Moga district and the recent order of the National Human Rights Commission for reopening the disappearances cases should serve as a grim reminder to you of the question of impunity enjoyed by top police brass. There should be a full-scale impartial public enquiry. There are far too many skeletons in the cupboards of the high and mighty in the Punjab police.

We appeal to you to take up the following steps, which will reinforce people's faith in democracy and rule of law:

1. Dal Khalsa suggests setting up a Commission to investigate the role of the state police since 1984 to 1995.
2. During militancy, people were killed in encounters (fake or real) for which award money was distributed amongst policemen. From which account was the money withdrawn? There should be a thorough probe.

Dal Khalsa appeals to you to wake up to the call of justice, human rights and harmony. Our plea to you is part of our renewed attempt to revitalize respect for human rights in Punjab.

Kanwar Pal Singh (General Secretary)