KARACHI, March 10: Taking serious notice of public complaints, the Sindh police department has initiated action against 40 policemen and officers.

There are other reasons also for the action.

The new Police Order has given major powers for internal accountability envisaging penal and punitive action against delinquent officers and policemen as opposed to mere departmental action in the past.

The IG Sindh, Syed Kamal Shah, was informed when he sought progress of action against police personnel under the Police Order 2002 and the Sindh Police efficiency and disciplinary rules.

It was stated that under the Police Order 2002 registration of cases had been ordered against 40 police personnel, include four inspectors, five sub- inspectors, 10 ASIs, five head constables and 16 constables.

It was stated that during January and February departmental action against 1,201 police personnel was initiated and they were awarded both major and minor penalties.

According to the break-up, 113 police officers/officials were awarded major penalties, including dismissal from service (SIs three, ASI one, HCs two, PC 22); compulsory retirement from service (inspector three, SI one, PCs three); demotion/pay reduction (inspector one, HC one, PCs five) and forfeiture approved to service (inspectors three, SIs three, ASIs nine, HCs nine, PCs 16).

1,088 police officers/ officials were awarded minor penalties, including stoppage of increment (inspectors seven, SIs 27, ASIs 36, HCs seven, PCs 45); fine (SIs three, HCs 41, PCs 231), Quarter Guard/Extra Drill (HCs three, PCs 150) and censure (inspectors 13, SIs 38, ASIs 68, HCs 48, PCs 363).—APP