news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1975997.stm
Low Graphics Wednesday, 8 May, 2002, 17:49 GMT 18:49 UK Profile: KPS Gill KPS Gill Gill is viewed by many as a national hero test hello test By Jyotsna Singh BBC reporter in Delhi line The newly appointed security adviser for the western Indian state of Guja rat, Kanwar Pal Singh Gill, faces a daunting task. Rioters in Ahmedabad Critics say Gill has no power to stop the violence Mr Gill is known for his success in rooting out militancy from the Indian state of Punjab, expertise that he will now apply to the communal viole nce in Gujarat. The state has been in the grip of Hindu-Muslim violence for more than two months and Mr Gill has been assigned the job of advising the state admi nistration on security. Critics say that shorn of any real administrative powers, Mr Gill may fin d himself relying on the aura surrounding his personality to repeat his success. But to many, he remains a national hero whose strong will and long experi ence make him the right man for the job. Tough reputation KPS Gill began his career as a police officer in the north-eastern state of Assam, quickly earning a reputation as a tough officer. He became a household name across the country as Punjab police chief in t he early 1990s, when he was credited with crushing a separatist revolt i n the Sikh-majority state. KPS Gill Gill is no stranger to controversy Widely praised as a one-man army and widely feared by criminals across th e country, Mr Gill was dubbed "Super Cop" after his success in Punjab. Years after retiring from government job, Mr Gill's anti-terrorism skills are back in great demand. He publishes the Faultlines journal and runs the Institute for Conflict M anagement, as well as advising governments and institutions on security related issues. He was asked by the government of Sri Lanka last year for similar advice. Mr Gill has also written a book, "The Knights of Falsehood", which explor es the abuse of religious institutions by the politics of terrorism in P unjab. Criticism There has been a dark side to Mr Gill's success and he is no stranger to controversy. He and his team have been accused of committing excesses in the name of s tamping out terrorism. Gujarat police Additional forces are needed in Gujarat Then in the mid-1990s, a senior female civil servant from Punjab, Rupan D eol Bajaj, sued him successfully for sexual harassment. Mr Gill had to pay a hefty fine and was sentenced to three years in priso n which was later reduced to probation. Despite his conviction Mr Gill's iconic status remains untarnished among both ordinary people and political parties, including the ruling Bharati ya Janata Party. Observers say the BJP-led government is hoping to cash in on Mr Gill's im age. The Central government has been under tremendous pressure to intervene di rectly in Gujarat following allegations of complicity between rioters an d the police and state administration. Accountability Critics have dismissed Mr Gill's appointment as a mere symbolism. They say his role has not been clearly defined and as the state governmen t's adviser he will not have any real authority to execute his own plans . The main opposition Congress Party has even demanded to know exactly to w hom he will be accountable. Mr Gill himself, however, has dismissed any such doubts and says he has t he support of the state government. He has described the situation in Gujarat as "very bad" and has given him self a month for a full assessment of the situation.
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