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The new Punjab DGP, K K Attri, who assumed office on Friday, made a categorical statement on the occasion, saying Central forces will be required in the state for elections. The statement, though, not in consonance with what the ruling SAD-BJP alliance would like to project about the law and order situation in the state, Attri pointed out that, “Punjab would have 12,000 polling booths and there’ll be additional requirement for providing security to candidates.

“The state has some sensitive areas, including those from border and terrorism days, where security requirements are almost two-and-a-half times more than the normal deployment. Punjab Police alone cannot meet the demand.”

The 1971-batch IPS officer, who was earlier DGP-cum-commandant general, Punjab Home Guards, and director, civil defence, is presently the seniormost officer of state police. Attri said his immediate priority would be to ensure smooth conduct of Lok Sabha elections in the state.

To queries on peaceful conduct of polls, unlike the violence-marred panchayat and zila parishad elections last year, he assured, “Police will do its duty.” He also rubbished the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee levelled allegations of politicisation of the force. To a similar query earlier, his predecessor N P S Aulakh, who has been appointed National Security Guards, had said some individuals could have such tendencies (of succumbing under political pressure) “but by and large, this is a very professional force”.

The DGP refused to comment on the opposition’s demand to declare the entire state “sensitive”. Instead, he said, “Terrorism was a phenomenon once (when the state was sensitive). But now, urban policing is more prevalent in the state. The sensitivities here are high on account of public aspirations and increased awareness levels. Some border areas or places like Faridkot, Ferozepur and Muktsar are also considered sensitive.” Regarding Congress’s allegations of political vendetta, Attri assured that “purely professional attitude would be adopted in handling all cases”.

Aulakh had once praised the incumbent DGP as “very mature, professional, balanced and experienced officer”. Incidentally, Aulakh had bypassed Attri, a year senior to him, for the top post two years ago.