The Hindu : Mufti Govt. disbands SOG

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 25, 2003

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Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Mufti Govt. disbands SOG

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU FEB. 24. In its first major political decision, the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led coalition Government has ordered the disbanding of Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and assimilating its personnel into the regular police force.

Apart from dwelling at length on the government's priorities and plans, the Governor, G.C. Saxena addressing the joint session of State Legislature here on Monday, said that orders for disbanding had been issued. In fact, sources said these were issued minutes before the Governor started his 35-minute long address at 10 a.m.

It has been signed by the Financial Commissioner (Home), S.D. Singh. Only two days ago, the Government ordered the transfer of the Superintendent of Police (Operations) Srinagar, who was the only SP heading the SOG in the entire State. Disbanding of the SOG was, in fact, the main plank of the People's Democratic Party in the elections and was later incorporated in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the coalition government.

The State police had been in the vanguard of the fight for peace and over the years it had gained great professional competence and qualified for performing a greater internal security role without having to resort to any compartmentalised specialist arms. The Governor said: harmonising professional requirements of J & K Police with the security scenario of the State, their image and credibility has been an area of concern for my government right from the beginning''.

In fact, the CMP adopted by the coalition government focussed on this requirement in clear terms. He lauded police for having a history of bravery and courage, commitment and sacrifice saying that 650 jawans and officers had laid down their lives combating militancy.

The release of prisoners who had not been involved in serious offences had been a ``declared objective of my government''. That was important for creating a new relaxed atmosphere of understanding and amity which would ultimately help in getting the State out of its problems.

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Mufti Govt. disbands SOG