Bhubaneswar: Puri, the cultural capital of Odisha has a significant place in the hearts of the people of India. It is one of the oldest cities of India having a global perspective and appeal.
The city comes under the Central Range of Police and its law and order issues are most important when compared to the other major cities of the state. And this assumes more significance when the city is witnessing a major transformation as a World Heritage City. Keeping this in mind, the state Government has appointed IPS Asish Kumar Singh as the new DIG of Central Range.
With a string of successful experiences in various places, Asish Kumar has a proven record of rightful policing. His new assignment as the DIG of Central Range is also challenging as the Central Range comprises seven central and costal districts of Odisha i.e., Cuttack, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Puri, Nayagarh, and Khurda under its jurisdiction.
The Central Range is the most vital police range in Odisha and strategically significant for propelling trade, commerce, business and tourism activities in the State. Hence, prevention of crime and preservation of peace and security here are the utmost priorities for the government.
A well revered name in Odisha police echelon, IPS officer Asish Kumar Singh’s posting as DIG Central Range is seen as a strategic move by the Odisha Government considering its recent policy interventions to create conducive atmosphere for economic growth. The Central Range has also some of the toughest challenges for the new incumbent. While the vast sea coast from Puri to Kendrapada needs vigil, the districts like Khordha and Nayagarh pose some significant law and order problems. Having urban areas in its jurisdiction and ever changing strategies of the law breakers, the police needs to have the best person in charge at the helm.
Singh’s distinguished career spanning several key roles, from law enforcement and intelligence, security and anti-crime strategies will provide natural advantages to the government in maintaining law and order situations in the central regions of the State.
As a people friendly grassroots police officer, Singh has created his own identity in the districts wherever he has worked. In addition to being people friendly, he has zero tolerance to crime and criminality and earned the most acclaims in the State as a Dabang Officer.
As an IPS officer, he is credited with some of the best practices wherever he has worked. During his tenure in Puri as the Superintendent of Police, his efforts of humane policing such as providing transport to old age people coming to the pilgrim city, managing traffic problem with the help of locals and health check up of senior citizens had brought him laurels.
As SP of Puri district, he played a magnificent role during the famous Nabakalebar rituals of world famous Jagannath temple. The biggest festivities which witnessed millions of visitors concluded peacefully and no major law and order incidence took place. He took several proactive measures to win trust and confidence of the people towards administration. It was his personal initiative that as many as 32 street committees were formed in Puri town for the smooth conduct of Nabakalebar ritual. This also helped to dismantle the crime network and bring in long lasting engagement of the police with the local people. Some of the local youth were also made SPO’s in the department which helped in curbing traffic violations and petty crimes.
Singh believes that transparent and time-bound policing will earn confidence of the people. He assumes the new role as DIG of Central Range at a time when the Odisha Government has kick-started a massive transformation programme in Puri and to make it a World Heritage City as part of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s 5T initiative.