Jammu/Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have ordered the immediate transfer of Deputy SP Sunil Jasrotia after a video showing him slapping a JKAS officer during election duty went viral. The incident has sparked outrage among officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS), who have now proceeded on mass casual leave in protest and written to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, seeking action and institutional safeguards.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the LG, JKAS officers expressed “deep anguish and strong protest” over the “unfortunate and shocking” incident involving the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Nagrota, who was allegedly assaulted by the concerned SDPO while performing his duties as Nodal Officer (Transport) during the ongoing election exercise.
The officers said the episode raises serious concerns about the safety, dignity, and institutional protection of civil officers performing statutory and election-related functions.
“Despite being engaged in a sensitive and high-pressure electoral assignment, the BDO was allegedly subjected to physical assault and subsequent harassment through registration of a false and fabricated FIR. Such conduct is not only unwarranted and unjustifiable but also deeply demoralizing for officers working diligently to ensure the smooth and impartial conduct of elections,” the letter reads.
The JKAS fraternity said the incident has severely shaken the morale of the administrative cadre and undermines officer confidence in the system.
“In solidarity with our colleague and in protest against this grave injustice, all JKAS officers have resolved to proceed on mass casual leave with immediate effect until stern and visible action is initiated against the erring officer(s) and adequate safeguards are put in place to prevent recurrence of such incidents,” the letter stated.
The officers have sought the immediate intervention of the Lieutenant Governor to “uphold the dignity of the civil service, restore officer confidence, and ensure that administrative functioning remains free from intimidation and abuse.”
The letter, signed by multiple JKAS officers, urges the administration to take decisive and visible action to ensure accountability and safeguard officers performing statutory duties during elections.
Meanwhile, the J&K Police have ordered the immediate transfer of Deputy SP Sunil Jasrotia after a video showing him slapping a JKAS officer during election duty went viral. (KDC)
