Chandigarh: Punjabi comedian and actor Gurpreet Ghuggi is apparently caught into controversy for showering praise to Punjab police with special reference to role played in Punjab police in 1980s to 1990s period in Punjab.
“Actually we salute this department, because … remember last 20-25 years, if this department was not there… here no people were seen on roads after 6 pm, leave aside these functions” said Gurpreet Ghuggi during a program, apparently some award show aired by PTC Punjabi.
“These functions that we are holding here … there is a big sacrifice (by Punjab police) … and this Punjab police is such an ideal police which is being followed all over India. Whole India is following the policing of Punjab police taking it as a role model” said Gurpreet Ghughi.
Video Courtesy: PTC | &/OR | FB.com/Postman.Admin
Ghuggi’s comments have invited severe criticism over social media. A video clip of comedian’s utterances is being shared and re-shared over Facebook with strong comments condemning Gurpreet Ghuggi for glorifying the Punjab police.
People criticizing Gurpreet Guggi say that Punjab police had unleashed the region of state terror against civilian Sikh population of Punjab during 1980s-90s period.
It is well documented in various documents and reports by human rights groups of international repute that the Punjab police was involved in commission of crimes against humanity in Punjab.
The period of 1980s-90s in Punjab was marred by widespread and systematic wide-spread and systematic human rights abuses by Punjab police. Enforced disappearances, custodial torture and death, fake encounters were common policing practice during that period. [for more details see:- Death Silence: The Legacy of Human Rights Abuses in Punjab (by Human Rights Watch); Protecting the Killers: A Policy of Impunity in Punjab, India (by Ensaaf and Human Rights Watch); Reduced to Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab (by CCDP); Smoldering Embers, (by Voices for Freedom)].
The black deeds of Punjab police also find mention in US diplomatic cables leaked by Wikileaks.