Hyderabad, Aug 31 (IANS) Senior police officer K. Aravind Rao, considered an expert in tackling Maoists, Tuesday assumed office as the Andhra Pradesh police chief.
He succeeded R.R. Girish Kumar, who retired Tuesday on attaining the age of superannuation.
Rao, who was the Director General of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), took charge from Girish Kumar as the Director General of Police (DGP) at the state police headquarters here.
An an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of 1977 batch, Rao has earlier served as the chief of intelligence and anti-Maoist elite force Greyhounds. As the Inspector General of Greyhounds in the 1990s, he played a key role in curbing Maoist activities.
He has taken over as the DGP at a time when there are reports of the guerrillas planning to revive their activity in their former stronghold.
Talking to reporters after taking charge, Rao said he would continue the present policy to deal with the Maoist problem. ‘The Maoist problem can’t be solved in a day,’ he said.
Hailing from Anantapur district of Rayalaseema region, Rao has earlier served as the superintendent of police in Medak, Warangal and Kadapa districts, deputy commissioner of police in Hyderabad and commissioner of police in Vijayawada.
Rao will retire in June next year on reaching superannuation.
