New top cops for Indore brace for pro-active, transparent policing

Harinarayan Chari Mishra took over as the new Indore deputy inspector general (DIG) of police and Ajay Sharma as additional director general of police on Monday. The top cops maintained the change of guard was a part of “routine” shake-up.

Harinarayan Chari Mishra took over as the new Indore deputy inspector general (DIG) of police and Ajay Sharma as additional director general of police on Monday. The top cops maintained the change of guard was a part of “routine” shake-up.

Harinarayan Chari Mishra (left) takes charge as DIG from Santosh Kumar Singh in Indore on Monday. (Arun Mondhe/HT photo)

The commercial capital of the state has had the dubious distinction of being the crime capital of the state for six consecutive years till 2013, according to National Crime Records Bureau figures.

Taking charge from outgoing DIG Santosh Kumar Singh, Mishra said he will work towards “pro-active, effective and transparent policing.”

Mishra said all the special initiatives started by the former DIG would be continued. One of the most effective steps taken by Singh in his one-and-half-year stint was to increase visibility of police in the city through checkpoints and crack down on drunken driving.

The outgoing DIG Singh had made a name for his tough policing, so much so that a large number of traders had taken out a protest march demanding his transfer.

Mishra said he will first understand the city and then devise suitable strategies, but assured he would ensure a “sense of security among the people.” He said he would crackdown on white collared crimes, like cheating through chit funds and money lending. Earlier, as the Jabalpur superintendent of police (SP), Mishra had started the Sanjeevani scheme to stop the spate of suicides.

Meanwhile, the new ADG said he will ensure communal harmony and maintenance of law and order in the city. Sharma took charge from Vipin Maheshwari.