Haryana govt asks probe officer to stop working on second report into Jat agitation

The violent quota agitation led by Jats in February this year in Haryana led to 30 deaths and a huge loss in public and government property.

Chandigarh: The Haryana government has asked retired IPS officer Prakash Singh to stop working on his second report into the Jat agitation, with Singh claiming that it was not ready for a "second bitter pill" after his first report indicted several officers in police and administration.

"I was to give reports in two phases. First on riots during a protest on the reservation and second to look into police reforms. However, the Haryana government had given me in writing that they do not want the second report," Singh told PTI today.

"The first report of mine was a bitter pill and I think they (Haryana government) don't want another such pill," the Padma Shri recipient said.

Singh said the state government told him that they would implement the suggestions given by him in his first report. He added that the initial report submitted by him was "not comprehensive".

The retired IPS officer headed the fact-finding probe into the violent quota agitation in February this year which led to 30 deaths and a huge loss in public and government property, forcing the Haryana government to summon Army to control law and order.

Singh said the state government had sent him a formal letter saying he had done a "commendable job" in his first report.

However, the letter mentions that there is "no need" for the second report and they will act on the recommendations made in the first, he said.

Singh had indicted officers ranging from Additional Chief Secretary to DGP in his first report after a detailed three-tier examination.

The first report had faulted the top brass, among others, for inaction and caste bias.

He had already begun working on the second report and also held preliminary meetings with police officers in June.

Singh said that no reason was given to him by the state government for stopping work on the second report.

"I think politicians, bureaucrats, police officers feel if this man comes again he will make recommendations which will not be in their interests," he said.