Jammu: A major reshuffle in the Jammu and Kashmir Police Department is likely to take place shortly, with several IPS officers from the AGMUT cadre moving to and from Jammu and Kashmir, while recently promoted officers await fresh postings.
The reshuffle is expected to cover senior positions at the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) levels.
According to sources, some of the proposed postings require clearance from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Jammu and Kashmir administration is already in touch with the Ministry regarding the necessary approvals.
Vidhi Kumar Likely to Be Relieved for CRPF Posting
A key change is expected following the likely relieving of Vidhi Kumar Birdi, the present IGP, Kashmir Zone, who also holds the additional charge of IGP, Armed Police Kashmir.
Virdhi had been cleared for central deputation around two months ago and was subsequently posted as an Inspector General in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
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However, his relieving was held back in view of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, which is currently nearing its culmination in the South Kashmir Himalayas.
With the pilgrimage scheduled to conclude in the next few days, Virdhi is now likely to be relieved from Jammu and Kashmir to take up his new central assignment.
His departure will result in the posts of IGP Kashmir Zone and IGP Armed Police Kashmir becoming vacant, adding to the requirement for fresh senior-level postings.
Four DIGs Promoted to IGP Rank
Meanwhile, four DIG-rank officers have been promoted as IGPs, creating another round of posting requirements within the J&K Police.
The officers include:
- Shakti Kumar Pathak, who is already serving as Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), and is holding an IGP-rank assignment.
- Mohd Haseeb Mughal, currently DIG, Traffic Jammu.
- Sheikh Junaid Mehmood, who has been posted as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jammu and Kashmir Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (JK4C) in the rank of IGP.
- Shahid Mehraj Rather, currently Director, Police Telecom.
- While Pathak is already occupying an IGP-level position and Sheikh Junaid Mehmood has received a fresh IGP-rank assignment, Mohd Haseeb Mughal and Shahid Mehraj Rather are yet to be given new postings following their promotion.
Abdul Jabbar Transferred From CBI to J&K
Another significant development is the transfer of Abdul Jabbar, who has been moved to Jammu and Kashmir from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued his transfer order on August 25. He is expected to receive his posting after joining the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
His arrival will add another senior IPS officer to the pool available for adjustments during the impending reshuffle.
Vikas Gupta Shifted From J&K to Goa
In another AGMUT cadre movement, Vikas Gupta, who was serving as DIG, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu and Kashmir, has been transferred to the Goa segment of the AGMUT cadre.
His transfer is also expected to create a vacancy that will have to be addressed as part of the wider exercise.
Four SSP-Rank Officers Transferred Out
The reshuffle will also result in several vacancies at the SSP level after four IPS officers serving in Jammu and Kashmir are moved to other segments of the AGMUT cadre.
The officers are Tanushree, SSP Pulwama; Gaurav Sikarwar, SSP Rajouri; Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director, Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA), Udhampur; and Deepika, SSP, CID Headquarters.
Their new assignments are as follows:
- Tanushree – Presently SSP, Pulwama; transferred to Delhi Police.
- Gaurav Sikarwar – Presently SSP, Rajouri; transferred to Goa.
- Rajesh Kumar Sharma – Presently Deputy Director, SKPA Udhampur; transferred to Chandigarh.
- Deepika – Presently SSP, CID Headquarters; transferred to Puducherry.
Their relieving from Jammu and Kashmir will leave the respective positions vacant and will require fresh arrangements by the administration.
Eight New IPS Officers Posted to J&K
At the same time, the Centre has posted eight new IPS officers, all in the rank of SSP/SP, to the Jammu and Kashmir segment of the AGMUT cadre.
The officers are Vishnu Kumar, Arshi Aadil, Tikam Singh Verma, KM Priyanka, Rajeev Kumar Ambasta, Deepak Yadav, Anand Kumar Mishra and Satish Kumar.
However, according to sources, these officers are yet to join Jammu and Kashmir.
Their joining is expected to form an important part of the upcoming exercise to fill vacancies created by the outgoing officers and make fresh field-level arrangements.
Shailendra Singh Promoted to DIG-Equivalent Rank
Another change in the seniority structure has taken place with the promotion of Shailendra Singh, presently serving as SSP, Railways, to the DIG-equivalent rank under the Jammu and Kashmir Police Services Rules.
The post of DIG, Trainings, Jammu and Kashmir, is already vacant, and his promotion is likely to be taken into consideration while making the next round of senior-level adjustments.
Vacancies and New Arrivals to Shape Reshuffle
The combination of multiple transfers, promotions, deputation movements and new postings has created a sizeable pool of officers requiring fresh assignments.
At the IGP level, the likely relieving of Vidhi Kumar Virdhi will leave two important positions vacant. At the DIG and SSP levels, officers transferred out of the UT and those promoted to higher ranks will further necessitate adjustments.
At the same time, the arrival of eight newly posted IPS officers from different States and Union Territories is expected to provide the administration with additional options while filling field and specialised assignments.
MHA Clearances Key to Final Exercise
Sources said some of the postings and movements are subject to MHA clearance, particularly because of the movement of officers between Jammu and Kashmir and other segments of the AGMUT cadre.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration is understood to be coordinating with the Ministry to complete the required formalities.
Once the transferred officers are relieved and the newly posted officers join, the administration is expected to undertake a comprehensive adjustment of police officers across key positions.
Major Reshuffle Expected Shortly
With the IGP Kashmir and IGP Armed Police Kashmir likely to fall vacant, two IGP-promoted officers awaiting fresh assignments, four SSP-rank officers moving out, eight new IPS officers awaiting joining and additional promotions within the J&K Police, a significant restructuring of the police hierarchy is now expected.
Sources indicated that the major reshuffle could take place shortly, once the required clearances, joining and relieving formalities are completed.
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