Chandigarh: The period of 1980s to mid-90s in Punjab was marred blatant, systematic and widespread human rights abuses and police atrocities. Many cases have come into light now where the police officials had killed innocent Sikh youth to claim “head-money” declared against Sikh militant leaders. Many cases have come into light where Punjab police officers picked up and killed innocent Sikh youth and presented their dead bodies after labelling them as “terrorists” to claim promotions.

The Indian state is maintaining total secrecy over the process under which the “out of the way” promotions were awarded to police officials in Punjab during 1980s-90s period.

A news reported by journalist Gursewak Singh Sohal, published in a prominent Punjabi vernacular “Daily Ajit” notes that the Punjab Information Commission has said that the information related to ‘basis of promotions given to Punjab police officials during 1980s-90s period can not be provided under the “RTI” (Right to information) Act.

The Punjab state information commission has rejected an application seeking such information saying that the information was related to the “third party”, thus it was not covered by RTI act. Daily Ajit reports also notes that the commission argued that disclosure of such information could put personal security of the concerned police official under threat, therefore such information can not be released.

As per information a resident of Mansa district had approached the office of DIG (Patiala Range) under RTI act, seeking information related to educational qualification and details of property of DSP Sulakhan Singh at the time of joining the police force. The applicant had also requested disclosure of “basis of promotions” granted to DSP Sulakhan Singh.

The information was denied by DIG Patiala range after which the applicant had approached Punjab state information commission. Appearing before the commission DSP Sulakhan Singh had said that the information related of his promotions should not be disclosed because he was awarded promotions for neutralizing certain offenders during the period of militancy in Punjab.

State’s Information Commissioner Surinder Awastha agreed with arguments raised by DSP Sulakhan Singh and denied to disclose concerned information.