L-G gives sweeping powers to Adviser on security, policing

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 15

Lt-Governor Girish Chandra Murmu today gave sweeping powers to his newly appointed Adviser Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar on security and policing, including reshuffling of Station House Officers (SHOs) at the police station level.

According to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) here, the Lt-Governor, who holds the charge of the Home Department, has asked Bhatnagar, a retired 1983-batch IPS officer, to monitor and coordinate the Terror Monitoring Group (TMG) for results in a time-bound manner.

The order said the Adviser would enhance synergy among the security forces “for operational effectiveness and deployment of CAPF and JKAP for optimum effect”.

Bhatnagar, who recently retired as the Director General of the CRPF, would also address various aspects pertaining to intelligence activities and timely follow up besides coordinating with the Senior Security Adviser in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) K Vijay Kumar, who has spent 11 months in the erstwhile J&K state as an Adviser to former Governor Satyapal Malik.

“He will review preparedness for law and order situations and operational effectiveness of the police force and steps for capacity building in coordination with Special Security Adviser. He will also coordinate effort to counter cross-border propaganda and interventions for awareness and information dissemination,” the GAD order said.

The order said Bhatnagar would suggest appropriate measures for effective policing and intelligence gathering for effective policing at the police station level, including reshuffling of SHOs and other cutting-edge levels in consultation with the Special Security Adviser (MHA).

“He will also make assessment of border grid for preventing infiltration in coordination with the Special Security Adviser and oversee measures to improve criminal investigation, forensics and prosecution to further rule of law. He will also take steps to enhance faith in the criminal justice system and suggest mechanism for timely disposal of public grievances connected to investigation and crime control,” the order said.

All these issues were earlier handled by the Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, who heads the 80,000-strong force. The practice was that the police chief could transfer anyone below the rank of Superintendent of Police, while postings of SPs and above ranks were done by the Cabinet or the state advisory board in consultations with him by keeping in mind requirements for anti-militancy operations.

He would ensure clean and responsive administration with weeding out of corrupt elements besides reviewing performance of police on narcotics control and suggest measures for better controls and convictions.

He would also monitor particular cases of offences against women and under POSCO to ensure timely disposal as per law, the order said.