Why the hurry to replace SP Vaid, questions Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday questioned the hurried replacement of state police chief S.P.Vaid who was shifted in a midnight order by the governor's administration.

Reacting to Vaid's replacement by Dilbagh Singh, a state cadre IPS officer of 1987 batch, Omar said on his twitter handle: "There was no hurry to replace @spvaid. He should have been changed only when a permanent arrangement had been worked out.

"@JmuKmrPolice has enough problems without having to deal with the confusion of leadership.

"Changing the DG is the prerogative of the administration but why a DG as a temporary arrangement? The current DG won't know if he's going to stay & others who would like his job will be trying to replace him. None of this is good for @JmuKmrPolice".

An order issued on late Thursday night said Dilbagh Singh would hold the Director General of Police (DGP) charge in addition to his own duties as Director General (Prisons) J&K.

Vaid has been posted as transport commissioner.

Another IPS officer, V.K. Singh who is senior to Dilbagh Singh and also belongs to J&K cadre has reportedly proceeded on leave to register his protest for being overlooked for the top cop's job.

Informed sources said V.K. Singh is being posted as DG (Prisons) J&K to protect his seniority.