Major reshuffle in Kashmir police

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday ordered a major police reshuffle involving 61 senior officers at various levels. The state cabinet met Srinagar for the first time after the cabinet expansion and recent agitation against the rape and murder of two young women in south Kashmir's Shopian town, which has kept the valley on the boil since May 30.

The state intelligence chief, Ashok Bhan was transferred and posted as director general (Prisons).The state cabinet also approved promotion of two inspectors general of police to the rank of additional director general of police including K Rajendra who will be the new state intelligence chief and P L Gupta who goes as the new state vigilance commissioner.

Farooq Ahmad, inspector general of police is the new Kashmir zone police chief replacing Dr.B Srinivas, who has been shifted as inspector general of police security. Farooq Ahmad, also heads the special investigation team probing the rape and murder of the two women in Shopian. The state high court had directed that Farooq Ahmad heads the team because of his integrity and professional competence.

Ashok Gupta, inspector general of police security has been posted as the police chief of Jammu zone. The cabinet also affected changes at the deputy inspectors general of police and senior superintendents of police at the district level. Javed Riyaz is the new police chief of Srinagar.