Jammu:The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday announced a change in nomenclature of police medal for gallantry and police medal former itorious service, removing the word ‘Sher-e-Kashmir’, a reference to former chief minister and National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
“It is hereby ordered that the words ‘Sher-i-Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry and Sher-i-Kashmir police medal for meritorious service’wherever appearing in the government order No.332(P) of 2001 dated 01.08.2001,as amended from time to time, shall henceforth be read as ‘Jammu and Kashmir police medal for gallantry and Jammu and Kashmir police medal for meritoriousservice,” Principal Secretary, home department, Shaleen Kabra said in an order.
On the eve of Republic Day, three officers including the InspectorGeneral of Police S P Pani were awarded Jammu and Kashmir police medal formeritorious service.
Pani, who was recently relieved of the post of IGP ArmedKashmir, is presently on Central deputation. After approval by the competentauthority, he was appointed to the grade of Director-I in the class executivecadre of the cabinet secretariat, on deputation basis for a period of fouryears.The other two are SSP Koshal Kumar Sharma and SSP Suhail Munawar Mir.
Last month, the administration dropped Abdullah’s birthanniversary from the list of official holiday of 2020, drawing a strongreaction from the NC, the Congress and other parties.Meanwhile, 11 persons havebeen selected for ‘Jammu and Kashmir Government awards’ on the occasion ofRepublic Day. Rinku Raja Pandita, anemployee of tourism department who lost his life during a rafting in Lidderriver at famous hill resort of Pahalgam in June last year, was awarded forbravery, an official spokesman said, adding that his family will get Rs 1 lakh,a medal and a citation.
Others who have been awarded include Krishan Sharma andGhulam Nabi Lone (award for achievements in the field of literature), AbuSufyan Malik (performing art), FAyaz Ahmad Mir, shawl weaver, (excellence inArts and crafts), N A Qureshi (social reforms and empowerment) who will get acash award of Rs 51,000, a medal and a citation each, the spokesman said.Hesaid Principal Secretary, Home Department, Shaleen Kabra, Secretary, Departmentof Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Achal Sethi, Director General(Planning Development) Tariq Ahmad Khan and Additional Secretary, homedepartment, Khalid Majeed have been awarded for their meritorious services.
They will receive a cash award of Rs 51,000, a medal and acitation each.In the outstanding sports persons category, the spokesman saidShivani Charak (climbing) will get a cash award of Rs 51,000, a medal and acitation.
Sixty police officers and personnel were awarded Jammu andKashmir Police Medal for Gallantry.