During crucial hours, Yougal Manhas’s transfer from Poonch district is seen as the biggest upset for security forces; Is a politician’s arrogance superior to that of meritorious officers?
SALIL RAINA
(POONCH TODAY NEWS)
POONCH: Over the past three years, a surge in terrorist incidents in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri has remained a top concern for the union government. This region has witnessed the supreme sacrifice of nearly 50 Indian soldiers due to intelligence and other failures as terrorists and their support structures were able to strike as per their wish. The government has also taken many wrong decisions in the Poonch-Rajouri region.
Joining Poonch and Rajouri districts with Anantnag to create a new parliamentary constituency was also a very poor decision by the union government. The ideologies of both regions are entirely different. It’s also a big threat from an internal security point of view. But under the shelter of the word “masterstroke,” the ruling dispensation has taken many poor decisions in the Poonch-Rajouri belt. Earlier, former SSP Vinay Sharma was untimely transferred from Poonch to Samba district after the Topi peer incident, thereby decreasing the morale of the police force. Now, the government seems to have taken another foolish decision by transferring Yougal Manhas from Poonch district to SIA Jammu. Amid the big statement of former DGP Dr. S.P. Vaid a few days ago about Pakistan’s wrong intentions against India, shifting Yougal is seen as a big moral loss for the security forces in general and the public of Poonch in particular. Yougal, who remained a big brand in J&K police for his professional and strong policing and for his unique style of functioning, was well aware of the dynamics of Poonch and Rajouri. His posting in Poonch district earlier was seen as a big and much-needed step taken by the government. Yougal, who knew the pulse of the entire Poonch-Rajouri region, was a hope for every common man. Yougal is one of those police officers in J&K Police who enjoys massive support from the people, as he lives in the hearts of the people for his strong policing. In the Poonch district, Yougal served many times; therefore, he had in-depth knowledge of every inch of various issues, but reportedly, some high-ranking ruling party leaders played a role against him by deliberately giving wrong feedback to the ruling dispensation. A 2001 batch KPS officer, Yougal Manhas, was awarded various medals, including PMG, Sher-e-Kashmir Medal for Gallantry, DGP Commendation Medal, Army Commanders Commendation, Parakram Medal, Sher-e-Kashmir Medal for Meritorious Service, Aantrik Suraksha Medal, and a few other routine medals. Yougal led many successful operations on the terrorism front during his long career. Recently, on August 15, he was again decorated with the President Medal for Gallantry. It’s an astonishing fact that, on the one hand, Yougal was awarded a prestigious award, but on the other hand, he was untimely shifted from a sensitive Poonch district during the crucial hours, reportedly due to the foul intentions of some political leaders at the high level. Vinay and Yougal were very well supported by ASP Musheem Ahmed. If the arrogance of some high-profile political leaders is supreme over meritorious officers, then it’s really a sorry state of affairs on the part of the ruling class. Highly sensitive districts like Poonch and Rajouri need strong officers, as run-of-the-mill police officers cannot run these districts strongly from an internal security point of view.