Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday said KPS Gill's contribution to Punjab could not be understood by those who had not lived through dark days of militancy in the state.
Speaking at the Bhog (the last ceremony on death) of Gill in New Delhi, the CM said Punjab's former director general of police (DGP), who died on May 26 at the age of 82, will continue to shine through the sands of time as he contributed to peace in Punjab and in the country, thus enabling their progress and development in an environment free from terror.
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The CM said it happens in several generations that one comes across a man who leaves a mark the way Gill did.Remembering Gill’s contribution to fighting terror in Punjab, the CM said those who had not lived through those dark days, when more than 35,000 people were killed, could not really understand his contribution to the state.
When Gill took over the reins of the Punjab police, it was a force of shattered men, who would shut down the police stations after sunset for fear of the terrorists, Captain Amarinder observed, adding that Punjab had then needed a strong leader, which Gill had proved to be.
“I recall a time a time when, travelling from Gurdaspur with Ravi Inder Singh, I stopped to meet a deputy commissioner. They did not open the door, and we then talked to him on phone that was handed over through the closed door. He said he does not meet anyone after dark,” Captain Amarinder recalled the horror of those days and nights, through which Gill shone as a beacon.
Gill launched night dominance operation to restore the confidence of the people and things started changing, the CM pointed out, adding that the morale of the police was boosted by his strong actions, enabling them to fight and win the war against terror.
Punjab DGP Suresh Arora said the way he led the police force during the days of terrorism made him a messiah in their eyes. The real tribute to Gill would be to maintain peace and tranquility in Punjab and live up to his expectations, he added.
