Dehradun: A day after a 74-year-old retired brigadier general was killed by a stray bullet, Uttarakhand Police on Tuesday said it would launch a special crackdown – ‘Operation Prahar’ – to strengthen law and order in the state capital.
Retired Army Brigadier M K Joshi died in Dehradun on Monday morning after being shot when one of the occupants of a car opened fire on another car amid a high-speed chase sparked by a late-night brawl at a club in the city.
Read also | A retired Army Brigadier General was killed in Uttarakhand, during a club brawl chase
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said: “Law and order in Uttarakhand will not be compromised under any circumstances.” He also asked the police to launch a comprehensive screening campaign and directed DGP Deepam Seth to run a special drive against individuals with criminal tendencies. “The safety and security of the public is the top priority of the state government and all necessary steps will be taken to ensure the same,” Dhami added, warning that officials found negligent “will face strict action.”
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan held a meeting with senior officials to review the law and order situation.
Ruling out road rage, SSP Pramendra Dobhal said the case stems from a fight in the club. “The Scorpio passengers waited outside the club until early morning and then chased the Fortuner. During the shooting, the Commodore, who was out for a morning walk, was shot in the chest.”
“Four accused have been arrested while seven teams have been formed to nab four absconding accused,” Pramod Kumar (City) said. Sub-inspector in charge of Kothal Gate Ashok Kumar and Deputy Inspector of Excise Suban Singh have been suspended, police said.
