In a hectic development, Jammu and Kashmir police chief SP Vaid was unceremoniously removed from the post last mid-night and the DG (Prisons) Dilbag Singh was asked to look after the post of DGP, J&K, till a regular arrangement was made.

The transfer order of Vaid was issued around mid-night by the principal secretary (Home) RK Goyal after the centre reportedly did not relish the manner in which he had swapped the father of a top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist and 3 militants with the 14 close relatives of policemen, including 3 cops, who were few days ago kidnapped by terrorists in the South Kashmir.

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Officials say that appointment of Dilbag Singh on the post of DGP could be regularised only after approval of the UPSC.

Reports of centre’s annoyance over the swapping had started coming a day after the abducted persons were got released. The centre was reportedly looking for the substitute of Vaid and his marching orders were issued last night. However, the centre had denied reports of annoyance with Vaid’s style of functioning.

The text of Vaid’s transfer order to the insignificant post of transport commissioner indicates that he has been shunted out in a hurry. The order reads; “Dilbag Singh (1987 batch) shall hold the charge of the post of DGP, J&K, in addition to his own duties till a regular arrangement is made”.

Vaid, a 1986 IPS, was appointed DGP in December 2016 when the Kashmir valley was witnessing a violent agitation following killing of a local terrorist leader Burhan Wani. He is due to retire in October next year.

In his tweet this morning, Vaid said; “I’m thankful to God that he gave me the opportunity to serve my people and my country. I’m grateful to@JmuKmrPolice, security agencies and people of J&K for their support and their faith in me. My best wishes to the new DGP”.

I’m thankful to God that he gave me the opportunity to serve my people and my country. I’m grateful to @JmuKmrPolice, security agencies, and people of J&K for their support and their faith in me. My best wishes to the new DGP.

— Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) September 7, 2018

Dilbag Singh was appointed DGP (Prisons) to cleanse the jails in the state after the infamous escape of Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) terrorist Naved Jatt from custody while he was being taken to the hospital for treatment earlier this year. Singh took steps to streamline functioning of jails by shifting certain hardened terrorists and separatists to outside prisons from the Kashmir valley.

In an effort to strengthen the intelligence network of the state, B. Srinivas on his repatriation from central deputation has been appointed ADGP of CID.

More transfers were in the pipeline wherein Arun Chaudhury is likely to be appointed as the Director General of Prisons and SJM Gilani as Additional Director General of the Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police.