Julio Francis Ribeiro - Bullet for Bullet & His Autograph

 

 

Julio Francis Ribeiro, is a retired IPS (Indian Police Service) officer and civil servant who is best remembered for his role in ending Punjab insurgency. He is famous for his phrase "Bullet for Bullet". Actually it is his policy that he adopted in Punjab to save the state from militancy.

 

 

He held increasingly responsible positions during his career, and led the Punjab Police during part of the Punjab insurgency periods. He served as Director General of Punjab Police during its worst years of terrorism in Punjab. The New York Times reported that in the 1980s, Ribeiro led the Punjab police in a "ferocious crackdown" on Sikh militants, in a policy christened "Bullet for Bullet" by Arun Nehru.

On 30^th March, 2006, Keshav Gore Smarak trust (Goregaon) organised a public debate where Mr. Julio Ribeiro along with Mumbai Railway Police Commissioner, Suresh Khopade were invitees. I got opportunity to listen his life experiences. After the function I took his Autograph. He is giant 6"+ tall person.

Let us take some information about this hard super cop.

Julio Ribeiro is born on 5th May 1929 in Mumbai. He joined the Indian Police Service in 1953. From 1982 to 1985, he was the Commissioner of Mumbai Police. He was then promoted to Director General of Central Reserve Police Force & then to Director General Police of Gujarat. He held positions such as Special Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Adviser to the Governor of Punjab.

From 1989 to 1993, Julio Ribeiro served as Indian Ambassador to Romania. In August 1991 at Bucharest, he was attacked and wounded in an assassination attempt by Sikhs gunmen.

Similarly on October 3, 1986, inside the headquarters of Punjab Police at Jalandhar (Punjab), 6 Sikh militants belongs to Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) in police disguise attacked Ribeiro. His one guard was killed. Ribeiro, his wife, and four other police and paramilitary officers were injured. Riberio's wound was minor, but his wife was hospitalized.

He is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan award in 1987.

Julio Ribeiro, after retirement lives in Mumbai & involve in different social works. He is the Executive Chairman of the Public Concern for Governance Trust which is fighting corruption in Mumbai.

In an April 2006 interview with The Tribune, Julio Ribeiro explained that "It has been a role reversal for me... from fighting militants to fighting the corrupt administration." He went on to explain that while he had been offered positions in government, "Fighting with guns was no longer my cup of tea; and I wanted to work for the people of my city, Mumbai. I wanted to be useful to lower socio-economic classes, and thus decided to work at the grass roots level."

Julio Ribeiro published his autobiography as "Bullet for Bullet: My Life as a Police Officer."

 Important links for Julio Ribeiro

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZNETAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kgYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4036,1046106&dq=ribeiro+sikh  

http://www.tribuneindia.com/1999/99mar07/book.htm#1  

http://articles.latimes.com/1986-10-04/news/mn-4029_1_sikh-terrorism  

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060428/punjab1.htm#8  

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020125/punjab1.htm

http://articles.latimes.com/1986-10-04/news/mn-4029_1_sikh-terrorism