By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
A day after the killing of a retired Brigadier in Dehradun, an excise inspector and a police sub-inspector were suspended in view of the deteriorating law and order in the state capital of Uttarakhand.
Since February, four people have been killed, all in broad daylight, in different incidents in Dehradun. In the latest incident, Mukesh Joshi, a retired Brigadier who was on a morning walk was killed in a crossfire after a violent clash erupted between two groups following a night club dispute. Eight to nine rounds of fire were exchanged between the two groups. Four people have been arrested so far. Four others are absconding.
Taken aback by the spate of killings, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has tried to adopt a firm stance expressing deep displeasure over these incidents. He issued clear directives stating that law and order in the state will not be compromised under any circumstances.
Acting on the Chief Minister’s instructions, Soban Singh, an Excise Inspector and Ashok Kumar, a police Sub-Inspector In-charge of the Kuthal Gate police chowki, have been suspended with immediate effect.
The Chief Minister directed officials to launch a comprehensive checking drive across the entire state with immediate effect and to ensure strict action against all undesirable and unruly elements. He emphasized that incidents of road rage, firing, and illegal activities during late night hours must be curbed completely.
The Chief Minister categorically stated that the state government’s top priority is the safety and security of the general public, and every necessary step will be taken to ensure this. He instructed the police and administrative machinery to discharge their duties with the utmost strictness and vigilance.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan held a meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday with senior officials from the Home and Police Departments to review the law and order situation in the city. Expressing concern over the rising incidents of road rage and public disorder, the Chief Secretary issued directives to intensify surveillance to prevent such occurrences and to take stringent action against unruly elements.
The Chief Secretary directed that police patrolling be increased within Dehradun city and its surrounding areas. He instructed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Dehradun, to issue directives to all Station House Officers (SHOs) to step up patrolling during peak hours. He further stated that, in addition to day-and-night patrolling, morning patrols should also be enhanced.
Finally, the Chief Secretary issued strict instructions to rigorously enforce the prescribed closing times for bars and restaurants. He stated that to ensure Dehradun does not become a hub for parties and unruly behavior during weekends, strict action must be taken against miscreants.