This Article is From Mar 13, 2012

MP govt to recommend CBI probe into IPS officer's killing; Congress calls for bandh

MP govt to recommend CBI probe into IPS officer's killing; Congress calls for bandh
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today announced that his government would recommend a CBI probe into the killing of young IPS officer, Narendra Kumar Singh on Holi in Morena district.

The Chief Minister told a press conference soon after the State Assembly was adjourned that the CBI probe was being recommended at the instance of the slain IPS officer's wife, Madhurani Tewatia.

Chouhan said there was no question of Ms Madhurani, who is herself an IAS officer posted in Madhya Pradesh, changing her state cadre.

"I have accepted Madhurani as my sister and as a daughter of Madhya Pradesh," he said.

The Chief Minister said the opposition Congress had behaved in a very shabby manner in the state assembly earlier in the day while demanding a discussion on an adjournment motion about the officer's killing.

Mr Chouhan said his government was ready to discuss the motion but the Opposition had fled from the House as it was interested only in cheap politics and maligning the fair name of Madhya Pradesh.

He said such a thing had never happened before in the history of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly and he strongly condemned it.

Earlier in the day, the Congress had called for a bandh in the state today, demanding a CBI probe into the death.

Team Anna had also announced that it would launch a three-day fast in Bhopal, starting today, to protest against Mr Kumar's death and demand a strong law to protect whistleblowers. In an official statement, Team Anna has also asked Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to immediately pass the Lokayukta Bill in the state.

"Indians won't be mute spectators to this political tamasha this time round. Team Anna and thousands will stage three-day fast and protest in Bhopal to pay tribute to Narendra Kumar and demand a stronger law for the whistle-blowers," the statement said.

"The gory killing brings to fore the need for a strong whistleblowers' system under control of Jan Lokpal and Jan Lokayukta," the statement added.

The Madhya Pradesh chief minister had on Saturday asked for a judicial probe in Mr Kumar's murder. However, Mr Kumar's wife later that day demanded a CBI inquiry into the killing.

On Sunday, speaking to NDTV, Ms Tewatia said she had the support of the entire nation but not of the government.

"I am very disappointed with the government. I'll be serving them through my life... no condolence, not one word. It has been four days... The whole nation is with me except my government. If people can understand, why not them? Why would anyone want to serve the country if they don't even get respect," she said. Ms Tewatia is an IAS officer herself, and is expecting a child soon.

30-year-old Kumar was killed on Thursday when a man driving a tractor ran over him.  Mr Kumar had tried to stop the tractor, which was loaded with illegally-mined stones in the Morena district. Mr Kumar spotted the tractor while he was out patrolling.  When the driver refused to stop, Mr Kumar got out of his jeep and blocked the tractor's path. The driver ploughed into him.

Mr Kumar was posted at Banmore as a Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) a month ago and had taken on the mining mafia by cancelling several licenses and seizing a number of trucks and tractors engaged in illegal quarrying. Morena district is rich in stones meant for construction and the sand here is one of the finest in the country.

(With PTI inputs)
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