BAHAWALPUR, Nov 17: The Punjab government is examining a proposal to disband the office and rank of the deputy inspector general of police at range levels across the province, it is learnt on Wednesday.

According to information, it is proposed that an additional IG police's post with grade 21 should be created to head the two present ranges that will be considered one and, thus, creating four zones instead of eight police ranges operative in the Punjab.

It has been suggested that with the merger of eight ranges, the new zones comprising the ranges of Bahawalpur and Multan, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi, Lahore and Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad and Sargodha, should be headed by additional IGPs. They are proposed to be assisted by three DIGs of operation, investigations and watch and ward.

It is further learnt that a provision has also been suggested for the offices of SSPs of operation, investigations and watch and ward under the DIGs at zonal headquarters. However, the district police offices will continue to work at the district level and the small districts will have the offices of DSPs of investigations and watch and ward.

Sources told this correspondent that the proposal was under active consideration at the highest level. However, they did not give out the real motive behind the proposal.

It is not out of place to mention here that the government is looking to accommodate several police officers with grade 21, who have been waiting for their posting.

TRAIN STOP OVER: The Pakistan Railways has approved the stop-over of the Faisalabad night coach in the district with immediate effect. To mark this occasion, a function was arranged at the Bahawalpur railway station on Wednesday.

MMA deputy parliamentary leader in Punjab Assembly and Punjab JI Naib Amir Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar, Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajran local president and others spoke on the occasion.

SHOT DEAD: A man was shot dead during a crossfire between two rival groups at Chak 188-DB on Wednesday. Police have registered a case against the suspects.