Police reforms on cards in J&K, post of Commissioner to be created

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 23

After the formal transition of the erstwhile state of J&K into two Union Territories (UTs), the government is going to execute police reforms in the new dispensations by appointing the Commissioner of Police (CP).

Highly placed sources said the administration of the newly carved UT had decided to conduct reforms in the police like other UTs of the country by designating posts of Commissioner, joint commissioners, additional commissioners and deputy commissioners, additional deputy commissioners and assistant deputy commissioners in the hierarchy of the police.

“The Home Department is working to finalise police reforms on the pattern of other UTs,” a source said and added that the new designated posts in the hierarchy of the police would be announced very soon.

Meanwhile as reported earlier, the Administration of the UT of J&K has given its nod to carve out a new division comprising erstwhile Doda district and some parts of south Kashmir.

Highly placed sources said initial survey in this regard had already been conducted and the authorities were deliberating on a survey report to give final shape to the proposal.

“Three districts of Jammu province, namely Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar, along with three districts of south Kashmir, namely Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam will be part of the proposed new division,” a source said.

“The aim of this plan was to ensure better governance and administration to the people living in the remotest and far-flung areas. After going through the survey conducted by a Central agency, the authorities will prepare a roadmap for the proposed new division,” the source said and added that a dedicated team had already been deployed for this project.

Due to the topography, residents of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban are demanding separate division to ensure equitable and balanced development in this most backward and neglected belt of J&K.

After the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two UTs, the J&K is left with only two divisions, namely Jammu and Kashmir. In the month of February this year, division status was granted to Ladakh which is now a separate UT.