PHAGWARA: As Punjab Police intensify efforts to combat the drug menace in the state, the Kapurthala district police force is facing additional strain with the retirement of 16 personnel on May 30, 2025. This development has come at a time when the department is already grappling with an acute shortage of manpower, adding further pressure to an overstretched force.
The retired officials include one Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), four Inspectors, eight Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs), one Head Constable, and a Class-IV employee. Many of them had served the Punjab Police for decades, contributing significantly to crime prevention, public safety, and anti-drug operations across the district.
To honor their dedicated service, the Kapurthala Police held a formal farewell ceremony, where heartfelt tributes were paid by colleagues and senior officers. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora IPS praised the outgoing personnel for their integrity, professionalism, and years of tireless service to society. He emphasized that their contributions had left a lasting mark on the department and the communities they served, and wished them good health and peace in retirement.
Among the retired officials were DSP Gurmit Singh (PPS) from Sultanpur Lodhi, Inspectors Lakhwinder Singh, Manjit Singh (two officers sharing the same name), and Gurdial Singh. Sub-Inspector Gurwinderpal Singh also concluded his service, alongside ASIs Dalbir Singh, Jagdish Lal, Swaran Singh, Kulwinder Singh, Avtar Singh, Rajinder Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Kulwant Singh. Head Constable Sukhwinder Kaur and sweeper Prem Lal were also given a respectful farewell for their long-standing commitment to the department.
The ceremony was also attended by S.P.(HQ) Gurpreet Singh Gill and S.P.(D) Prabhjot Singh Virk, who joined in extending their best wishes to the retirees. They acknowledged the personal sacrifices and professional dedication of the officers, particularly in high-pressure assignments such as anti-drug enforcement and rural crime patrol.
This wave of retirements is significant not only for its size but also for its timing. With drug-related offenses continuing to pose a major challenge in Punjab, particularly in regions like Doaba, the reduction in experienced personnel is likely to impact operational efficiency.
SSP Gaurav Toora said the government has been working on plans to bolster police strength through recruitment drives and internal promotions, but ground-level implementation remains slow.
The exit of these seasoned officers represents a generational shift within the force, and their absence will be felt not just in administrative records but in the lived experience of the department. As the Kapurthala Police bid farewell to these men and women in uniform, their legacy of service continues to inspire those still in the field.