Srinagar, Sep 30 (Reporter) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has put in abeyance an order for the appointment of Colonel Vikrant Prasher from Indian Army’s elite Para unit as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in J&K Police. In a first, Colonel Vikrant Prasher, who is currently serving at the Army’s High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg, was a few days ago appointed as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for training and special operations in the J&K Police. The appointment was on a deputation basis for two years. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had questioned the legality and appropriateness of appointing a military officer to such a high-ranking police position. “We are told J&K has the same rights and rules as applied elsewhere in the country. Wonder why & under what special status is the local admin ordering the most unusual appointment of a Colonel as SSP in J&K police?” former CM Mehbooba Mufti had said. The ECI on Monday put in an abeyance of the order and said a Model Code of Conduct was in place during which such transfers are banned. “Without going at this stage into the rationale, process, and urgency of posting an army officer as SSP on the civil side during the period of operation of MCC, the Commission hereby directs that the order shall be kept in abeyance with immediate effect. If an order has been issued and executed, the position before the issue of the order shall be restored with immediate effect,” reads the order issued by R. C. Patra, Secretary at the ECI secretariat. The commission has also asked the J&K Chief Secretary to send a compliance report by 11 AM on October 1, the date for the last phase of elections , along with an explanation as to why such an order was issued without prior permission of the commission...////...