My priority is stamping out militancy at the earliest: New DGP

Srinagar, Sep 7: Dilbag Singh, IPS Friday took over as Director General of Police J&K.

He succeeded Dr S P Vaid who passed on the baton to him (Singh) at Police Headquarters here.

Immediately, after taking over Singh chaired a high level meeting of police officers, wherein he impressed upon the officers to continue with their work for “restoration of peace in the State.”

Singh, later in an interview with news agency PTI, said his priority is “to stamp out” militancy from the state at the earliest, while “protecting interests of common people”.

The new DGP also said that he would also work for the welfare of the police personnel, who have been at the forefront of anti-militancy operations. He has served the state police in various capacities.

Singh, who was posted as the Director General (Prisons) in March this year, was made an interim police chief on Thursday after his predecessor S P Vaid was shunted to transport department as its Commissioner.

Vaid had joined as state police chief on January 1 last year and was due for retirement in October 2019.

Singh feels that although the task is daunting he is sure that the Jammu and Kashmir police will “pass all tests in flying colours.”

“My priority as of now is to deal with militancy firmly while protecting the interests of innocent common people. I have held a meeting with my senior officers at the police headquarters after taking over and will be interacting with District Superintendents, range DIGs and Zonal IGs in the evening today (Friday) to have a brief on the ground situation and our priorities,” he said.

Calling the responsibility a great honour, he said due attention would be paid to the welfare of the all police ranks.

“The state government is seriously concerned about that,” he said.

Later in the day, Singh met Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan.

He briefed the Governor about present internal security situation and many important matters relating to law and order challenges before the J&K Police.

Governor discussed with him various issues relating to welfare of police personnel and their families particularly the housing needs of the police. He wished him a successful tenure and urged him to keep public interest foremost in discharge of his duty. (With inputs from PTI)