Protection of common people top priority: DGP

Vijayawada: Senior IPS officer Gautam Sawang assumed charge as the Director General police (DGP) of Andhra Pradesh at the State police head office at Mangalagiri in Guntur district on Saturday.

As part of the reshuffle among the senior officials in the government after the YSRCP came to power in the State, Gautam Sawang has been appointed as the new DGP. He has replaced R P Thakur.

Sawang took charge in the presence of senior police officials and family members. Later, briefing the media, Gautam Sawang said the police department will give priority for the protection of common people in the State.

He said special attention will be paid for the protection of children, women and vulnerable sections of the society. He said special focus will be made on cybercrime, organised crime, trafficking of ganja and banned products.

Referring to the social media, he said the police department would build and strengthen it resources to keep vigil on the social media. He said many evil things are coming to light due to the social media and it has negative affects too.

He said the State police had faced many challenges after bifurcation and the police successfully overcame them in spite of shortcomings. He said the State lost many facilities due to the bifurcation and underlined the need to develop training centres and develop the police force.

He said, "We have to renew the policing standards in the State and give the best services to the people." Sawang said the people of Andhra Pradesh have many aspirations about the new government and the police department would try to ensure security and protection to the common people.

He said Andhra Pradesh police have historical legacy and serve as a role model to the police of other States in performing the duties and added that there is need to increase its intellectual capacity to cope up with the needs of the people and the challenges faced by the department.

He thanked Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy for choosing him as the DGP of Andhra Pradesh and sought the help of media to maintain law and order in the State.

Special focus on road accidents: He said Andhra Pradesh stood third in the country in the road accidents and stressed upon the need to take steps to check the road accidents and help protect lives of people.

Referring to police department, he said the government is seriously considering providing weekly off to all police personnel working in the State.

"There is a demand for a long time from the police personnel for the weekly off and the police department would look into the matter and take a decision soon," he assured. The department will take care of the police personnel and their families too, Sawang added.