J&K approves establishment of SIA

Sringar, June 12 (IANS) The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday approved the establishment of a State Investigation Agency (SIA) as the nodal agency to coordinate with Central probe agencies.

"The Administrative Council (AC), which met here under the chairmanship of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, approved the proposal of Home Department to create new posts under different categories for establishment of SIA in Jammu and Kashmir," said an official statement.

"In terms of territorial division of jurisdiction of the SIA. there will be two divisions, one each for Jammu and Kashmir provinces. Each province will be headed by one SSP rank officer.

"The Administrative Council approved the creation of 252 posts in different categories including Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP), Superintendents of Police (SP), Deputy Director of Prosecution (DDP), Chief Prosecution Officers (CPO), Deputy Superintendents of Police (Dy.SP), Senior Prosecution Officers (Sr.PO), Inspectors, and Sub-Inspectors (SI) among others.

"The SIA will be the Nodal Agency for coordinating with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other central agencies, with the mandate to take such measures as may be necessary for speedy and effective investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related cases," the statement added.