Police withdraw order asking 9 Muslim cops to not sport beard

Nine Muslim policemen in Alwar, who were ordered to get their beards removed, were on Friday allowed to sport it by a senior police officer following adverse reaction from the community which threatened protest against the order.

On Thursday, the police had asked the nine cops to get their beards removed to ensure they look "neutral". "Policemen should work in an unbiased manner and should also look unbiased," said Alwar Anil Paris Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police.

The nine Muslim policemen had sought permission from the SP to sport a beard, but were denied to do so. The Muslim community of the area then demanded withdrawal of the SP's order and threatened to stage a protest if the cops were not given permission to sport the beard.

The Alwar SP on Friday withdrew his order.

Surprisingly, 32 policemen who had approached him earlier to sport a beard were permitted to sport it.

These nine policemen include ASI Ismael Ahmed, head constable Chhote Khan, constable Abbad Khan, Assad Khan, Samardeen, Jaikam Khan, Mustaaq, Deen Mohammad and Saheed Nisaar.IANS