The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought detailed information regarding the alleged “firing” by two IPS officers and two HPS officers. These officers, along with two others, have been recommended by the Haryana government for the “Police Medal for Gallantry” for their actions in stopping farmers at the state’s Shambhu border during the Dilli Chalo agitation in February. This request from the MHA comes amidst criticism from Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, who has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the recommendations. Sandhwan argues that awarding gallantry medals to officers involved in actions against farmers would be akin to adding insult to injury.
In February, the Haryana government set up barricades at Shambhu and Khanauri points on its border with Punjab. This was in response to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announcing a march to Delhi to demand various measures, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.
On July 2, the Haryana government forwarded the names of three IPS officers and three HPS officers to the Centre, seeking gallantry medals for their “exceptional bravery and leadership.” The recommended IPS officers are Sibash Kabiraj (IGP, Ambala), Jashandeep Singh Randhawa (SP, Kurukshetra), and Sumit Kumar (SP, Jind). The HPS officers include Narender Singh, Ram Kumar, and Amit Bhatia, all of whom are DSPs. These names were forwarded after receiving recommendations from DGP Shatrujeet Kapur.
However, on July 8, the MHA sent two communications to the Haryana home department, noting that all requisite details had not been provided with the online applications. According to multiple sources familiar with the communication, the MHA pointed out that details about the firing and the status of criminal cases against the agitators had not been uploaded. The MHA has requested that the state urgently provide these details.
