Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau
The Uttarakhand Police have made decisive strides in eliminating notorious criminals involved in heinous activities within the state. The latest encounter, occurring in the Haridwar district, saw the death of Amarjeet Singh, a wanted criminal with a reward of Rs one lakh on his head. Singh, hailing from Punjab, was implicated in the murder of Baba Tarsem Singh, the chief of Dera Kar Sewa, a religious organization at Nanakmatta Gurdwara Sahib in district Udham Singh Nagar.
The saga of criminal activities intertwines with history, as seven years prior, another encounter claimed the life of Jarnail Singh, a known history-sheeter from Delhi. The incident unfolded in 2017 when Jarnail Singh, a history-sheeter of Delhi police, was hiding in Nanakmatta. Both Singh and Jarnail were residents of outside states, yet their criminal ventures found refuge in the quiet corners of Uttarakhand. The death of Baba Tarsem Singh, gunned down by assailants on motorcycles within the confines of the Dera, unraveled a web of conspiracy. Investigations revealed the involvement of Amarjeet Singh, among others, prompting a pursuit by the police.
The encounter with Amarjeet Singh and Sarabjit Singh Mianwind occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, as police personnel, bolstered by Special Task Force operatives, cornered the criminal duo in the Bhagwanpur police station area. In a desperate attempt to evade capture, Singh opened fire on the approaching officers, leading to his death in the ensuing exchange, while Sarabjit managed to flee the spot.
The resurgence of police action comes on the heels of a harrowing past, marked by the infamous Ranveer Singh encounter in Dehradun. The 2009 incident, marred by allegations of a staged encounter resulting in the death of Singh, tarnished the reputation of the Uttarakhand Police. Years of painstaking investigation and legal proceedings culminated in the conviction of seven policemen involved in the Ranveer case, while eleven were acquitted. The revelation of falsified accounts and evidence in the aftermath dealt a severe blow to the integrity of the police force, triggering widespread condemnation and political upheaval.
A senior IPS officer, who wished not to be named, said, “The resurgence in police action, exemplified by the recent encounters with Amarjeet Singh and Jarnail Singh, is a testament to the renewed commitment of state police in upholding justice and restoring public trust. The successful operations not only neutralized imminent threats but also delivered a resounding message to criminals seeking refuge within Uttarakhand’s borders. The Uttarakhand Police, once mired in controversy, now stands at the forefront of accountability and transparency, redefining its role as a guardian of law and order in the region”.
