AFTER HIS DISCHARGE FROM THE ARMY, SATPAL SINGH WAS MANAGING TRAFFIC IN SANGRUR AS A SENIOR CONSTABLE
SANGRUR: Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered double promotion for Vir Chakra awardee and Kargil war hero Satpal Singh after learning that he was managing traffic as a senior constable in Sangrur district.
The chief minister accused the previous SAD-BJP government of ignoring the credentials of Satpal at the time of his recruitment in 2010.
An official spokesperson said Satpal, who joined the Punjab Police after his discharge from the army, has been awarded a double promotion to be named assistant sub-inspector following direct orders from the chief minister in recognition of his valiant contribution during the Kargil war.
As a special case, he will be recruited as an assistant sub-inspector, in relaxation of Rule 12.3 of the Punjab Police Rules by the DGP, who has been so authorised by the CM, he said. Satpal was posted in Drass sector during Operation Vijay and was part of the team that helped the army capture Tiger Hill.
He killed Pakistani Captain Karnal Sher Khan of the Northern Light Infantry and three others. Khan was later conferred the Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan’s highest gallantry award, on the recommendation of an Indian brigade commander who vouched for his bravery on the icy heights.
Satpal was recruited into the Punjab Police as senior constable and is presently discharging his duties in an outstanding manner in Bhawanigarh town of Sangrur district, director general of police Dinkar Gupta said. He said ex-post facto approval of the council of ministers will be obtained subsequently for the required relaxation in rules. The DGP said Satpal Singh was posted in Sangrur but had sought transfer to Bhawanigarh six months ago, which was accepted.
Hailing the CM’s decision, Satpal requested Union government to take steps for the early release of war prisoners.