The UP government's direction to district police chiefs to take the approval of district magistrates before posting of station house officers (SHO) is said to have disappointed and angered the IPS Association. On its official Twitter handle, the IPS Association has posted -"Request @CMoffice UP to withdraw order requiring the approval of DMs before posting SHOs. The order is in conflict with the law laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court and High Court. It displays distrust in police leadership and demoralizes SPs". According to IPS officers, the order undermines the authority of the SP and SSPs and breaks the chain of command. Senior police officers see no logic in the order. They believe the order may break the chain of command since sub-inspectors or inspectors wouldn't be obliged to obey their superiors if their transfers and postings were subject to the approval of the district magistrates. The SPs and the SSPs will no longer be able to command the police force in their districts if the district magistrate is given these powers, it is pointed out. IPS officers contend that If the posting powers are being given to the district magistrate, then the responsibility for maintaining law and order should also be given to the civil officers. Why should SPs and SSPs be accountable for the law and order situation in their districts when they wield no powers over their subordinates?" It may be recalled that the state government set into a path of confrontation with IPS officers last year in September when chief secretary Rajive Kumar issued a letter, directing district magistrates to chair all law and order meetings in their respective districts.