Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 26 July 2024
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Thursday the appointment of senior IPS officer Mr. Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal as the new Director General of Police (DGP) for Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Mr. Dhaliwal, a 1997-batch IPS officer, previously served as the Special Commissioner of Police in New Delhi, overseeing Traffic Zone-II. Throughout his illustrious career, he has achieved significant milestones, solving high-profile cases such as the Dhaula Kuan gangrape, the murders of journalist Saumya Vishwanathan and IT Executive Jigisha Ghosh, and played a crucial role in investigating the murder case involving Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.
An alumnus of Panjab University, Dhaliwal brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In a related move, incumbent DGP Mr. Devesh Chandra Srivastva has been transferred to New Delhi. With 27 years of distinguished service, Mr. Srivastva has held pivotal roles in Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Delhi, and Mizoram. He has been honored with the Police Medal for ‘Meritorious Service’ and the President’s Police Medal for ‘Distinguished Service.’
During his tenure as DGP of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Srivastva led several modernization efforts within the Andaman and Nicobar Police. Under his leadership, new police stations such as the Cyber Crime Police Station and the Anti-Narcotics Police Station were established. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of regular training for the police force in various aspects.
Mr. Srivastva made significant strides in enhancing the responsiveness of the Andaman and Nicobar Police to the media, which in turn boosted the public image of the police. Regular press briefings and media interactions became the norm under his leadership.
The smooth implementation of the three new criminal laws that came into force on July 1, 2024, was another hallmark of Mr. Srivastva’s tenure. He ensured intensive training of the police force to adapt to these new laws effectively.
A notable highlight of his tenure was the anti-narcotics efforts. The Andaman and Nicobar Police proactively seized large quantities of drugs and arrested those involved in the illicit drug trade, instilling fear in anti-social elements involved in drug trafficking.
Overall, Mr. Srivastva’s tenure as DGP of Andaman and Nicobar Islands was marked by significant achievements and progress for both the police force and the islanders.