CBI raids former J&K Governor Satyapal Pal Malik’s premises in hydel project case
Malik said that he is not scared of the raids and will continue to support the farmers.
Within four days of his “not your domain” remark to Junaid Azim Mattu, the newly elected Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Inspector General of Police (Traffic) Basant Rath was on Tuesday unceremoniously shunted out and attached in the insignificant office of Home Guards.
The social media had been since Monday rife with speculations of Rath’s transfer but the order was issued on Tuesday evening after an approval from Governor Satyapal Malik.
The order issued by Home Secretary RK Goyal attached Rath to the office of Commandant General, Home Guards/Civil Defence/SDRF till further orders. Alok Kumar, 1997 IPS batch, will now head the traffic wing of the police.
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Rath has been in the eye of storms for having penalised kin of VIPs for flouting driving rules wrong parking of vehicles. However, what is believed to have hastened his transfer is his “not your domain” remark to Mattu on 9 November.
Rath had made the remark in response to Mattu’s tweet saying: “Have received numerous complaints about traffic mismanagement issues in the city. I have spoken to the SP Traffic (Urban) and sought a review of current traffic diversions and plans. The SMC has been directed to help with decongestion of alternate routes for some relief.”
Reacting to Mattu’s remarks, Rath had tweeted: “Not your domain. Traffic diversion at Jehangir Chowk is a compulsion. The vendors have created a mess on Amira Kadal—HSHS—Maharaja Bazar—LD Hospital stretch. SMC needs to clear the mess.”
It may be mentioned that Mattu, who had resigned from the National Conference to contest the SMC elections, is considered a confidant of separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajjad Lone who was tipped by the BJP as the new chief minister had their plans to split the PDP matured. Mattu had in the recent days also come close to BJP general secretary Ram Madhav.
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