RPF officer transferred: DG

The Railway Protection Force official in Budgam who had issued a controversial letter about “deteriorating situation” in Jammu and Kashmir has been transferred, RPF DG Arun Kumar said on Monday.

In the letter, RPF Assistant Security Commissioner (Budgam)Sudesh Nugyal asked employees to stock ration for at least four months, storedrinking water for seven days and fill vehicles fully to deal with the issue oflaw and order for a long period as there is a “forecast of deterioratingsituation” in Kashmir.

   

“The officer who had issued the order has beentransferred. A senior official has been brought in to take charge in theabsence of the senior RPF official who has gone on study leave,” the RPFDG told PTI.

The letter created a flutter and was shared widely on socialmedia, including by former chief minister Omar Abdullah, who questioned themotive behind such a missive.

The railways, however, clarified that the communication hadno basis and the official had no authority to issue it.

Moradabad Senior Divisional Security Commissioner  (Sr DSC) Sandeep Ravivanshi has now beenposted in Srinagar, Kumar said.

According to the letter, “As per inputs received fromdifferent security agencies and SSP/GRP/SINA (senior superintendent of policeGovernment Railway Police, Srinagar) regarding forecast of deterioratingsituation in Kashmir valley and issue of law and order for a long period, aprecautionary security meeting was held on July 27.”

Nugyal asked employees to take precautionary measures,including stocking up ration for at least four months and shifting theirfamilies out of the Valley.

“At least four-month dry ration should be purchased inadvance to meet any crisis situation. Store drinking water for at least sevendays consumption. Staff should keep their ‘pitthu’ bag ready with sufficientamount of eatables, drinking water, chocolates, money etc for emergencypurpose,” the letter said.

However, a clarification was issued by a railways boardspokesperson, saying the letter was sent without any authority by the next inline to the senior divisional security commissioner, who had proceeded onone-year study leave on July 26.

“The next in line issued this letter based on his ownperception which has no basis and is not authorised to issue any such letter.

“It is also clarified that the letter does not have anyapproval from authorising authority. IG (NR) RPF is being sent to Kashmir toassess the situation and take corrective action,” the spokesperson said.

Kumar said the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is awaitingthe report of RPF IG Sanjay Sankrityayan, who is on a tour of the state, forfurther action.

The controversy comes amid criticism of the Centre by asection of Kashmiri leaders to send 100 more companies (10,000 personnel) ofthe Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to the state.The government had said the troops were beingdeployed to strengthen the counter-insurgency grid and law and order duties inthe Kashmir Valley. 

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