Srinagar, Sep 07: Dilbag Singh took over as the new Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Friday after his predecessor S P Vaid was removed and posted as Transport Commissioner Thursday night.
Singh, a 1987-batch IPS officer from the state, took over as the new police chief at a simple ceremony. He continues to hold the charge of Director-General (Prisons).
Vaid, a 1986-batch IPS officer, was unceremoniously removed as police chief late last night. It was believed that the reason behind the sudden development was continuous friction over interference in the police work by the state’s bureaucracy.
Vaid has been shifted as Transport Commissioner, a post which was held by Saugat Biswas, a 2006-IAS officer. The post has been upgraded from Additional Secretary to the rank of Secretary. It will be headquartered in Jammu.
Before demitting his office, Vaid expressed satisfaction that he was able to serve the people of the state.
“I’m thankful to the God that he gave me the opportunity to serve my people and my country. I’m grateful to police, security agencies, and people of state for their support and their faith in me. My best wishes to the new DGP,” Vaid said.
“My only concern is the youth which is dying and unnecessary loss of human life. The sooner it ends, the better it would be,” he said.
The State government removed Vaid as the DGP late Thursday night and handed over the charge to DG (Prisons) Dilbagh Singh till a permanent appointment is made.
Meanwhile, in an interview to PTI said his priority was to stamp out militancy from the state at the earliest while protecting interests of common people.
Talking to the PTI, Singh, who has served the state police in various capacities, said he would also work for the welfare of the police personnel, who have been at the forefront of anti-militancy operations.
Singh said the task is daunting but he is sure the Jammu and Kashmir police will pass all tests with flying colours.
“My priority as of now is to deal with terrorism firmly while protecting the interests of innocent common people. I have held a meeting with my senior officers at the police headquarters after taking over and will be interacting with District Superintendents, range DIGs and Zonal IGs in the evening today to have a brief on the ground situation and our priorities,” he said.
Calling the responsibility a great honour, he said due attention would be paid to the welfare of the all police ranks especially the jawans. The State government is seriously concerned about that, he said.
“The J&K Police has earned a name for itself and it is duty for all of us to take it to greater heights,” he added.
In the meantime, Dilbagh Singh called on Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan.
Singh briefed Governor about present internal security situation and many important matters relating to law and order challenges before the J&K Police, a communiqué issued by Governor’s office said.
Governor discussed with him various issues relating to welfare of police personnel and their families particularly the housing needs of the police. He wished him a successful tenure and urged him to keep public interest foremost in discharge of his duty, added the communiqué.
Govt approaches SC on appointment of new DGP
New Delhi, Sep 07 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir government approached the Supreme Court Friday to explain the reason behind appointing an interim Director General of Police in the state without consulting the Union Public Service Commission as mandated by the apex court in July this year, officials said.
Standing counsel for the state Shoeb Alam mentioned about the application before Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, they said.
The matter is likely to be taken up on Monday.
The State government last night removed S P Vaid as police chief and appointed Director General of Prisons Dilbag Singh as an interim head of the force contrary to the guidelines of the Supreme Court, which had ruled in July that there will be no ad hoc arrangement for the post of police chief in the states.
In its application, the State informed the apex court that Jammu and Kashmir Police, which has been fighting militancy for the last three decades, cannot be left headless for a minute and therefore, the decision was taken by the administration on Thursday night, they said.
In July, the top court had taken note of an application filed by the Centre in which it claimed that certain states have been appointing acting police chiefs and then making them permanent just before the date of their superannuation to enable them get the benefit of an additional two-year tenure till the age of 62 years.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud passed slew of directions for appointment of state police chiefs.
“None of the states shall ever conceive of the idea of appointing any person on the post of Director General of Police on acting basis, for there is no concept of acting Director General of Police…,” the bench had said.
Chronicling the steps to being taken for appointment of the police chiefs, the apex court had said, “All the states shall send their proposals in anticipation of the vacancies to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) well in time, at least three months prior to the date of retirement of the incumbent on the post of Director General of Police”.
It said the UPSC shall then prepare a panel as per the earlier directions of the court and intimate it to the states, which in turn shall immediately appoint one of the persons from that list.
“An endeavour has to be made by all concerned to see that the person who was selected and appointed as the DGP continues despite his date of superannuation,” the bench said and added that the extended term beyond the date of superannuation should be a reasonable period.
