Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 24: Despite the fact that Jammu police continue to be "headless" for the past several months, the incident-free conduct of Amarnath yatra proves one thing beyond any doubt that seniors' role is not that important as compared to the field cops, including officers, in maintaining law and order situations.
The posts of SP (south), SSP, Jammu, and DIG (Jammu range) are lying vacant for the past several months. While the state cabinet has met more than once since these vacancies were created, no consensus was arrived at to fill them.
The post of SP (south) fell vacant in January this year following the transfer of Rahul Malik to Kashmir. Since then, the additional charge of this post is lying with SP (operations).
SSP, Jammu, Uttam Chand was transferred in May last following the killing of a youth in police firing on Sikh protesters near Satwari. The protests had erupted after the removal of Bhinderwale's posters by police from Satwari area. Since then, SP (rural) is holding the additional charge of SSP, Jammu.
The additional charge of DIG, Jammu range, has been given to DIG (Traffic Police). The post had fallen vacant after the retirement of then DIG. While the DIG, Jammu range, is responsible to maintain law and order, the responsibility of DIG traffic is to ensure smooth flow of traffic, especially during yatra days and on some other occasions on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
One thing is noteworthy. While the Government did not bother to fill the three main posts to run the police administration in Jammu, the Amarnath yatra remained peaceful. This is something unusual because on earlier occasions, the Government would ensure that efficient police officers were posted against the three posts to ensure incident-free conduct of the yatra. |
