Safeguarding peace major challenge: Dilbag
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 31: Rashmi Ranjan Swain today took over as 17th Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police at a function held at Police Headquarters in Srinagar.
On his arrival, Swain was received by senior officers and was presented guard of honour in the PHQ lawns. He also inspected the guard of honour.
A 1991 batch IPS officer Swain before taking over as DGP Jammu and Kashmir remained posted at various important and key positions of Jammu and Police which included SDPO Kothi Bagh, SP Ramban, SP Kargil, SP Poonch, SSP Kathua, SSP Jammu, SSP Srinagar, AIG (P/W) PHQ and DIG Vigilance. In November 2006, Swain went on deputation to Govt of India where he held very prestigious posts. In June 2020, Swain joined the J&K Police as head of the CID wing and today took over the charge of DGP J&K.
Immediately after taking over the DGP, J&K, Swain chaired a meeting at PHQ which was attended by senior officers of the PHQ and other wings.
The HoDs of different wings and senior officers of PHQ briefed the DGP about the working/functioning etc. of their wings and offices.
Special DG Crime J&K, AK Choudhary, ADGPs, SJM Gillani, M K Sinha, Vijay Kumar, Director, Fire & Emergency Services, Alok Kumar, Commissioner/Secretary Industries and Commerce Vikramjeet Singh, IGP VK Birdi, IGP (CIV/Hqrs) BS Tuti and other senior officers from J&K Police were present on the occasion.
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Meanwhile out-going DGP Dilbag Singh today said that return of a peaceful environment in Jammu and Kashmir was result of combined efforts of J&K Police and other security agencies but safeguarding it is a major challenge.
Speaking at the farewell function at Armed Police Complex Zewan, Srinagar, Singh said the return to a peaceful environment was the result of the combined efforts of courageous J&K Police and various Central Government agencies.
“We have been successful to a great extent in bringing peace here, but ensuring peace is not enough, safeguarding it is a challenge. These are the times of safeguarding peace. Conspiracies and terror threats have not been entirely eradicated, and we must remain vigilant and work together,” he said.
The DGP said that had J&K police lowered the guard during Riyaz Naikoo’s ‘terror’, Zakir Moosa’s ‘ghost’ and Geelani’s rigidness, “don’t know what would have been the situation in J&K today.”
Recalling his career’s good and bad days on the last day of his service, Singh said his relation with the police was eternal.
“A policeman is always a policeman,” he said adding that he is witness to historical developments that took place during the course of his stint from SSP to DIG to DGP rank.
“When I was appointed as the DGP, I thought there were many others who could have been chosen for the post. I thanked God for my selection. As a DGP I always wore a smile on my face and wanted to see the same on the face of my jawan,” Singh said.
He said during the past 30 years, police faced a series of challenges bravely and performed the duties like a professional force. “When there were shutdowns on the calls of separatist, on the deserted streets, one would always find a policeman performing his duties,” he added.
“There was a period when there were many commanders of terrorist outfits and their fear was everywhere. In 2018, there were threats to SPOs, who quit in large numbers. Today, we searched whether there is any name of any terrorist commander. Today, all SPOs are back to business,” the outgoing DGP said.
“The brave officers of the Jammu and Kashmir police were instrumental in creating an environment that encouraged these officers to return and rejoin the police force. Sometimes, I ponder what would have happened had we been weak during that time, but we did not falter and embraced the challenge. This valiant force once again eradicated these prominent commanders who were enemies of peace, friends of terrorism, and advocates of destruction. Today, we sometimes search for the names of these commanders, but none remain,” Singh said.
“I must acknowledge the support I received from a wide range of individuals, from CRPF personnel, from foot soldiers to high-ranking officials, to other government agencies like RAW and security officials stationed in different locations. This unique collaboration is not witnessed in any other part of the region,” he added.
“Despite initial concerns about our behavior, I salute the police Jawans and the entire force. During my travels across the valley for 7-10 days, I visited police stations and talked to the Jawans. I asked them what they would choose when faced with a decision between emotions and duty, and each Jawan unequivocally chose to stand by their duty.”
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