Jat Reservation agitation: Padma Shri Prakash Singh to inquire into acts of omission and commission

Chandigarh, February 24, 2016: Haryana Government has decided to appoint Mr Prakash Singh, a retired IPS officer and recipient of Padma Shri, to inquire into the acts of omission and commission on part of all officers and officials of both Police and Civil Administration during the Jat Reservation agitation resulted in blockades of roads including national highways, violence and extensive damage to public and private properties in many districts.
While stating this here today, an official spokesman said that Mr Prakash Singh will submit his report in this regard within 45 days.
He said that Mr Prakash Singh will be assisted by two serving officers of the State, each drawn from IAS and IPS cadres. Services of two investigators of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police/Inspector, serving or retired, with previous experience of CID/CBI would also be placed at his disposal.
Mr Prakash Singh will also undertake a thorough study of existing structures, procedures and systems for maintenance of law and order in the State and suggest such improvements in these, as he deems necessary, to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future. He will submit his report in this regard within a further period of one month. In this task, he will be assisted by two serving police officers of the State Government, who would be selected in consultation with him.
Mr Prakash Singh has been a very distinguished police officer of the country. He was Police Chief of two large States of Uttar Pradesh and Assam. While in Uttar Pradesh, his tenure was marked by a relentless campaign against the Mafia and stamping out terrorism from the Terai area, he was handpicked for Assam at a time when ULFA had declared that they would now allow elections to be held in the State. The elections were held peacefully as not a bullet had to be fired.
He has also commanded the Border Security Force (BSF) and during his tenure, the BSF gave a stellar account of itself in combating militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. He is remembered as one of the best Director Generals of the Force. He is also an expert on Naxal/Maoist affairs and was associated with anti-Naxal measures taken by Government of India. He was also Member, Expert Group of Planning Commission to study Development Challenges in Extremist Affected Areas in 2008.
He was Member, National Security Advisory Board during 2013-14 and is one of the foremost experts of the country on Internal Security. At present, he is Associate Fellow of the Joint Special Operations University (US) and President, Indian Police Foundation and Member, Advisory Board of Vivekananda International Foundation.
Mr Prakash Singh is recipient of several awards for his meritorious and distinguished services./ (SK Vyas, Jalandhar)