In a first an Army officer appointed SSP in J&K Police; Sparks debate on Social Media over rank

Srinagar: In a first, a decorated Army Officer from elite Para regiment Colonel Vikrant Prashar has been appointed as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Trainings and Special Operations Group in the J&K Police.

The move is aimed at strengthening the security apparatus in UT, and comes amid ongoing efforts to enhance counter-insurgency measures and operational efficiency in J&K.

The officer is presently posted at High Warfare School Gulmarg and has been brought on deputation.

Colonel Prashar, a decorated officer with extensive experience in counter-terrorism operations, is expected to bring his military expertise to this pivotal role, officials said.

However, the move has also sparked a debate on Social Media on whether a senior officer of Army of the rank of Colonel should go for the post of SSP.

Senior Journalist Man Aman Singh Chinna said on social media platform X, Colonel must not be equated with SSP because he ranks higher in equivalence. And especially in a state like J&K where much junior officers in length of service in JKP and IPS wear the same badges of rank as Colonel.

Sameer Anand, an Infantry Veteran reacted, Earlier Colonels used to be equated with the DIGs of CAPFs & the state police. Is there any such earlier precedence of army officers being deputed for a police job, that too by the J&K administration?

Another user and a veteran wrote on the microblogging site, “Seems this Col nor @adgpi (Indian Army) care about the status dignity of military rank. He must get designation of DIG. It's fault of army who allows degradation of its personnel. IPS 4 yrs put up Major and 6-7 yrs puts on Lt Col stars. Army pls wake up.”

One user named Harsha sounded perturbed over the ongoing tussle over rank and said, “Always engrossed in status, titles and turf wars. Actual effect on ground and work achievement least of one's concern. Training -in -charge post name should be changed to "Supreme Leader of Training" probably that would satisfy equivalent rank requirements.”

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