Minutes after Om Prakash took over as the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police (DG&IGP), Karnataka State Police, he spoke to The Hindu about the challenges he forsees during his stint and the controversies over his appointment.
Q: What are the challenges you forsee as the new Chief of State Police?
A: Tackling rising crimes against women and children is a top priority. Police personnel on the ground should treat women and children who come seeking help with respect and compassion. The other major challenges are counter-terrorism and anti-naxal operations. Prosecution and taking cases to the logical end is often a neglected area. That needs to improve.
Q: Police personnel are subjected to pressing work schedules leading to stress and other issues. What are your plans to mitigate the burden?
A: The motto of every police personnel in uniform is to work round-the-clock for the peace and tranquility of society. The welfare of police personnel is also a priority and many measures have been implemented, which I wish to continue.
Q: What is your message to the people of the State as the DG&IGP?
A: We will work hard to meet the expectations of the people. People can be rest assured of peace and law and order in the State. Communal harmony is key to peace and tranquility in the State, which would be given top priority.
Q: There is opposition to your appointment within your own department. Sushanth Mahapatra has threatened to go to court over the issue.
A: The department is united and unanimous in supporting my appointment. My appointment is a government decision. Sushant Mahapatra moving to court, I wish to not comment on. Let the law take its own course.
IMRAN GOWHAR
