Valley waves bye to SOG

The Governor said: ‘‘It should be our effort to harness the services of the whole force for the maintenance of peace rather than leave this primary duty to only a few.’’

Sources in the administration said the process to assimilate SOG into the state police, which started nearly two months ago, got completed with the shifting of SP (Operations) Sheikh Mehmood from Srinagar as Deputy Commandant of IRP 7th battallion at Reasi four days ago. Prior to this, the government had already withdrawn SP (Operations) in seven other districts and posted them as Additional SPs.

Though some in the police force, especially former SOG officials, apprehended that the move will affect the fight against terrorism, official sources said counter-insurgency operations will continue as usual. The only difference now will be that instead of a few SOG personnel in each district, the entire police force under the command of the district SPs concerned will be involved in it.

In fact, SOG was nothing more than a group formed within the police force to carry out counter insurgency operations. However, as there were no formal orders from the government for the creation of such a group, these SOG men continued to draw their salary from their respective units in the police force.

This had led to duplicity of authority as the SP (Operations), heading the SOG in the districts, was not answerable to the SPs concerned, despite his being junior in rank to the latter. This had led to several complaints of atrocities against them, sources said. The placement of SOG personnel under the district SPs concerned will now make them accountable, the sources added.

The Governor said more than 650 jawans and officers have laid down their lives while combating militancy in the Valley. During 2002 alone, the police force lost 91 gallant officers and men. The President of India has awarded colours to them, which is, indeed, a very rare honour for any state, he added.

He said harmonising professional requirements of the state police with security concerns, their image and credibility and the people’s expectations has been an area of concern for his government. In fact, the Common Minimum Programme, adopted by the coalition government, focussed on this requirement in clear terms, he added.

He also appreciated the role of the para military forces in combating militancy and launching civic programmes.