Andhra sorts out power tussle at anti-terror unit, appoints new IG

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police S S P Yadav seems to have had the last laugh in his spat with DGP A K Mohanty...

Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police S S P Yadav seems to have had the last laugh in his spat with DGP A K Mohanty, head of OCTOPUS (Organisation to Counter Terrorist Operations). Mohanty was on Wednesday shunted out of the elite force, set up in October 2007, as chairman of AP Road Safety Authority. Both the senior officers were embroiled in a tussle ever since Mohanty was posted as head of the organisation. While Yadav tried to control OCTOPUS, Mohanty tried to keep it independent. Additional Director General of Police (intelligence) Arvind Rao was also involved in the tussle, as he said that anyone heading the anti-terror unit should report to him. As things turned ugly, the Home Ministry had to step in to sort out the mess.

The decision indicates that Yadav’s word prevailed. The Government scaled down the OCTOPUS director’s post to IG level, instead of DGP, and shunted out Mohanty to an inconsequential posting.

The Government promoted Deputy Inspector General Thirumala Rao as IG and posted him as head of OCTOPUS. He will report to Arvind Rao. Sources said Yadav was much more comfortable with an IG heading the organisation. However, Yadav may not have had a say in choosing Thirumala Rao to head the organisation.

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The Government definitely wanted to put an end to the controversy that had restrained the anti-terror outfit from proper functioning. With the problem settled, the anti-terror unit is expected to start recruiting personnel and procuring equipment necessary for anti-terror operations and receiving funds as well.

On Wednesday, the Government also transferred 34 other IPS officers.

P G Kumar, DG & IG of prisons, was transferred and posted as Director General of AP Special Police Battalions. He replaced M Alagar. Additional DGP (Human Rights) Lokendra Sharma was appointed DG & IG of prisons and director, correctional services. D Gautam Sawang, who returned from Central deputation, was appointed Inspector General (law and order), Hyderabad. Narasimha Reddy was posted as Addl CP (crime), Hyderabad. Special

Protection Force DGP K R Nandan was transferred and posted as chairman of AP State Police Housing Corporation and was replaced by Sivasankar, Additional DG (railways). Umesh Kumar was posted as Additional Director General (police welfare).