Recognising the gallantry of the slain superintendent of police (SP) Baljit Singh in the Dinanagar terror attack, the Punjab government on Thursday announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the family, besides the offer of the post of deputy superintendent of police (DSP) to his son.
The state government also announced Rs 3 lakh ex-gratia for those injured in the attack, in addition to bearing the entire expenditure on their treatment.
These decisions were taken by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal during a meeting with senior officers of the civil and police administration here, a spokesman said.
The chief minister also told the state home department to recommend the names of SP Baljit Singh (posthumously), inspector Balbir Singh and head constable Tara Singh for the President’s Police Medal in recognition of their unprecedented bravery and highly professional conduct.
Saluting the valour, dedication, selfless devotion and patriotic values displayed by members of Punjab Police, the families of the policemen killed in this operation have also been allowed to draw full pay till the time of their ‘retirement’, and also free education to their children.
Punjab Roadways bus driver Nanak Chand, who steered the passengers to safety, would be honoured with the state award and Rs 2 lakh financial assistance at the state-level Independence Day function. His name would also be recommended for the gallantry award for civilians to be conferred by the Centre, the spokesman said.
Punjab Police have already issued appointment letters for constables offered to one member each of the families of three Punjab home guards, who were killed in the attack.
Similarly, a member each of families of the civilians killed in the attack would also be given a government job, the spokesman added.
Baljit’s family satisfied with decision
Kapurthala: Reacting to the development, Maninder Singh, son of slain SP Baljit Singh, said it was his father’s dream to see him as a police officer, but he had no idea that the dream would be realised in this manner.
Maninder said the family is satisfied with the decision taken by the state government. “It’s all due to my father that I got the job and now it’s my duty to follow in his footsteps. To see me as a police officer was his dream, but I never thought the dream would come true in this way. I am missing my father,” he told HT.
Baljit was recruited to Punjab Police in 1986 on compassionate grounds after his father Achar Singh, an ASI, was killed in a suspected terrorist attack in Moga in 1984.