New DIG vows to be tough on naxals

VISAKHAPATNAM: The new Visakhapatnam Range DIG, A Ravichandra, on Thursday said his department will take necessary action to curb the naxal menace in the Visakha Agency.
Addressing the media after taking charge on Thursday, the 1998-batch IPS officer said he will not spare anyone violating the law in his jurisdiction. He said his main priorities will be to address the naxal problem, protect women and ensure proper community policing.Apart from this, he will also ensure timely action.
On the ganja issue, Ravichandra said that though the subject falls under the jurisdiction of the excise wing, his department will extend full support to the excise department to ensure action is taken against ganja smugglers.
Commenting on allegations of police highhandedness in dealing with labour agitations, Ravichandra said his department is forced to take action against labour agitations and is being blamed for being oppressive. "The police would not have faced such allegations if the labour issues were dealt with properly by the labour and revenue departments," he said.
Ravichandra, who started his career as a DSP in the police wing, has worked as an SP in state intelligence and railways as well as DCP of the traffic wing in Hyderabad. He held the post of DIG (CID wing) for the past two years before being chosen as DIG of Visakhapatnam Range. The new DIG was welcomed by the three districts SPs and other officers at his bungalow.