Off-duty cops should be given permission to keep their weapons, says Haryana Congress

Days after an ASI rank policeman was allegedly shot dead near his residence in Karnal, the Congress party on Thursday demanded compensation of ₹1 crore for his family and requested the government to allow off-duty policemen to keep weapons with them.

The party, led by district coordinator Tarlochan Singh, protested against the law and order situation in Karnal at the DC office and submitted a memorandum to sub-divisional magistrate Anubhav Mehta.

Speaking to reporters, Tarlochan said even police personnel are not safe in the state.

“We demand that the Prime Minister, who is a member of parliament from the city, take full responsibility for this situation and resign. He (the Prime Minister) comes here for a few hours, meets people and leaves. He is not ready to understand the city and its problems,” he added.

In their memorandum, the party demanded improved public order, night patrols and other measures.

“There should also be security measures for police officers investigating cases involving gangs and serious criminals. The government should allow off-duty officers to keep their weapons with them. We demand compensation of ₹“1 crore to the family of the deceased policeman and a government job to his son,” Singh said.

The protest comes days after Sanjeev Kumar, an ASI of the state crime branch posted in Kurukshetra, was shot dead by two bike-borne men in Kutail village.

Kumar was cremated with full state honours at his native village after his son flew in from Canada to perform the last rites. Gharounda MLA Harvinder Kalyan, DSP Manoj Kumar, SHO Manish Kumar and others were present.

Earlier this week, a grocery store owner was reportedly shot at in his store in the town of Nissing by three men on bicycles.

While SP Mohit Handa was not available for comment, the police are yet to arrest the perpetrators in both cases.