Report by Badal Tah; Rayagada: Sri Rahul PR, Superintendent of Police at Rayagada is a 2013 batch IPS officer. In spite of hailing from Kerala, he speaks good Odia and has become close to the people of Rayagada by initiating several police-public interface. He has led a team of committed officers in tackling the Maoist menace and general law and order situation. It has not been a rosy path in dealing with the ultra lefts in a district like Rayagada infested with Left Wing Extremism(LWE). After being groomed and trained at Biju Patnaik State Police Academy and exposed to the field training amidst an environment suited to Odisha, he has never looked back.
Recently after being reported about Kharabela Swain’s attack at Kashipur, he was quick to nab the main culprit and his associates within twenty four hours of the incident and forward them to court. He was also able to take the main culprit into three days remand to further the inquiry. While asked by the scribes about the involvement of the culprits with the ruling party, he responded by saying that it might not be ruled out. This reflects that he is not buzzing under any pressure.
He has very efficiently restored the traffic signal system in the Rayagada town facilitated round the clock patrol in this tinsel town. Under his leadership acres of cannabis plants worth crores of rupees were destructed in the hinterland of the districts. The family counselling centre inside the District Police Office campus has got a new fervour during his regime. Hundreds of family disputes have been addressed amicably out of the court. The reception at the police headquarters welcome the affected persons who arrive there for filing the grievances, which are timely registered. He also never miss the grievances redressed at block level on each Monday thereby decentralising the grievance redressal system.
As a well trained young officer he has engaged with the communities, especially the Dangaria Kandhas of Niyamagiri, affected with LWE. Apart from having a dialogue with them on the issues of health, education, communication and other vital issues, he is instrumental in taking up a few welfare measures for them. Simultaneously has made them aware about the vested interests of the Maoists . All this apart from his primary role as a stern and unbiased police officer, he himself very often has taken part in the combing operation.
He was also quick to identify fake Naxals involved in extortion, nab them and forward to court. Recent achievements include placing a scientific team and dog squads in case of burglary at the house of Tahsildar of laxmipur(Koraput) staying at Rayagada. Within a day of incessant firing to a shop in the town during night, police under his leadership could catch the assailant from Visakhapatnam. The beauty of this officer is that he conducts press conference immediately after every action not for projection but as a token of transparency.
Recently during a foundation day ceremony of an established company, where he joined as Chief Guest, Rahul suggested the authorities to engage more and more in Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) initiatives. During his tenure, he has facilitated hundreds of identity cards for the senior citizens of the district. He has done this activities not as one time but on a sustained basis. This has made him a pro-people and tribal friendly cop.
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