Hyderabad: Having grown up in the city, he used to stay at Adarshnagar near the Birla temple as a teenager, new city police commissioner C.V. Anand used to visit the Hussainsagar often. He noticed that every now and then, people would end their lives by jumping into the lake.
One of the first tasks he set himself as he started his career as an IPS officer, and was posted as a deputy commissioner of police of the Central Zone, which covers Hussainsagar, was to set up the Lake Police, a brand new initiative then with the sole aim of averting suicides in the lake.
As the DCP, he set up the Lake Police station, provided boats, swimmers, and specially trained staff, and over the years, this unit of the city police, has saved the lives of hundreds of depressed people by its timely actions.
In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, Anand explains what he plans for the city as its police chief
Q. What are your plans to keep the city safe?
A. The state government has always given priority to law and order and women safety, among other things. To improve women's security, we have strengthened SHE Teams. They are working well and taking tough measures against miscreants of every hue.
Q. How do you propose to handle law and order in the city?
A. Maintaining law and order is paramount for us. I have acquired good knowledge of the issues confronting the city during my stints as DCP. I will ensure communal harmony. We will keep a strict vigil on illegal activities, which will be a coordinated effort involving DCPs, ACPs and police staff. I believe that peace will lead the city on to the developmental path.
Q. What measures will you implement to reduce cybercrime, which has emerged as a major challenge?
A. I have noticed that cybercrime cases are increasing by the day. Most of the fraudsters are resorting to newer methods to loot people. Apart from maintaining a strict vigil, we will create awareness among people on how to avoid falling prey to such frauds.
Q. What about using technological innovations and police reforms while cracking cases of crime?
A. The government has provided the best infrastructure to the department. We will make optimal use of technology while taking steps to prevent and detect crimes. For instance, CCTVs have been installed all over the city. Our priority, while redressing people's grievances, will be friendly policing.
Q. It is often noticed that whenever terrorists strike in the country, links are invariably traced to Hyderabad. How do you propose to cope up with this?
A. Given its cosmopolitan fabric, Hyderabad is known for communal harmony. We have a separate wing that keeps tracking terror movements. All anti-social elements will be under our radar, especially their shady movements. They will be dealt with an iron hand.
