RAWALPINDI: In line with the Supreme Court directives, the regional police officer (RPO) Rawalpindi on Monday demoted 121 police officials by withdrawing their out-of-turn promotions.

Last week 96 police officials were demoted by RPO Mohammad Wisal Fakhar Sultan Raja while out-of-turn promotions of 197 officials were withdrawn by City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Ahmed Abbasi. So far, 414 officials have been demoted in the Rawalpindi division.

The apexcourt on January 26,2016, directed the Punjab government to withdraw all the out-of-turn promotions or gallantry awards granted to the police personnel within four weeks and that their seniority should be re-fixed.

The RPO formed a seven-membercommittee, headed by SSP Sikandar Hayat, to review the cases of police officials/officers who had got out-of-turn promotions and other benefits.

In light of the committee`s recommendations, the police officials were demoted while their seniority would be re-fixed later, said a notification issued by the RPO.

Among the 121 officials demoted on Monday, 18 were sub-inspectors, 14 assistant sub-inspectors, 61 head constables and 28 constables. As many as 40 of the demoted officials had already retired from service while one official was sacked.

The demotion has created an uncertainty among police personnel about their future. However, SSP Sikandar Hayat said all the demoted officials would be working on their existing posts until their seniority was re-affixed.