IPS Vijay Kumar, top cop behind Veerappan’s elimination, likely to be Jammu and Kashmir's LG

In wake of government's decision to abrogate Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, IPS Vijay Kumar is likely to become the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir UT. President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday gave his assent to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act which seeks to bifurcate the state into two union territories. The union territories will come into existence on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel i.e. on October 31.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that Vijay Kumar's name is being considered by the Ministry of Home Affairs for the post of Jammu and Kashmir's Lt Governor. Vijay Kumar is a 1975-batch IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre who earlier held the post of senior security advisor in the MHA. Vijay Kumar shot to fame as he led the special task force that conducted 'Operation Cocoon' in 2004 to eliminate Veerappan, elephant tusk and sandalwood smuggler. He Served from 1985 to 1990 in the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The resolution scrapping Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir has been passed in Lok Sabha by division of votes with 351 members in support and 72 against it. One member abstained from voting. The House also cleared the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, by 370 "AYES" and 70 "NO" on Tuesday. The J-K Reorganisation Bill seeks to bifurcate the state into two Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Parliament also approved another bill to extend 10 per cent reservation to economically weaker sections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Under Article 370 of the Constitution, Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed complete autonomy and the state legislature was free to draft its own laws except in the areas of communications, defence, finance, and foreign affairs. Also, Indian citizens were prohibited from purchasing land in the state. Now, the CM of the state, if elected, will be required to report to the Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.