Jammu: Senior Congress leader and DDC Suchetgarh representative Taranjit Singh Tony on Monday demanded a complete restructuring of the Jammu & Kashmir Police after the Nowgam police station blast, alleging that the explosion stemmed from “serious professional lapses.” He said storing large volumes of explosive material inside a crowded police station reflected a systemic breakdown in protocol.
Calling the incident “deeply alarming,” Tony said the episode exposed growing unrest within the force. “Professional officers are sidelined, and those responsible for recurring failures continue untouched,” he said, pressing for accountability.
While criticising internal functioning, Tony applauded the police for recently dismantling a major terror module that began with the investigation of a Jaish-e-Mohammed poster and ultimately led to a major recovery of arms and explosives. The operation, he said, demonstrated what the force could achieve when allowed to work without interference.
Tony urged the Union Home Minister to appoint a DGP from the J&K cadre, arguing that officers from outside the UT require months to grasp the region’s terrain and security sensitivities. “People deserve leadership that understands ground realities,” he said.
Citing recent controversies—including the handling of spa-centre cases, attempts to pass off incidents as accidents, and public parading of accused persons—Tony said such actions weaken public confidence and erode the force’s professionalism. He also criticised outdated infrastructure, saying so-called model police stations fail to meet present-day requirements.
Reiterating his demand for a transparent probe into the Nowgam blast, Tony said J&K residents want “safety, professionalism and accountability—not recurring negligence.” Questioning intelligence gaps, he remarked that while “a farmer cannot enter Delhi with a tractor during restrictions, a car carrying explosives moves freely.”
Separately, Tony expressed grief over the Saudi Arabia accident that killed 42 Indian pilgrims. He urged the Centre to ensure urgent assistance, medical support and coordination with Saudi authorities for affected families.
