Bengaluru: N S Megharikh taken charge as Bengaluru Police commissioner here on Friday. Megharikh, a 1989 batch IPS officer succeeded M N Reddi, who is now Director-General of Police and Commandant-General of Home Guards.

On Friday evening M N Reddi handed over his responsibilities to Megharikh in the presence of the police top brass. Prior to his elevation as City Police Commissioner, Megharikh had served as Additional Director-General of Police, in charge of law and order, at the police headquarters.

On his fifth posting in Bengaluru, Megharikh said the upcoming BBMP elections (August 22) would be his first challenge. He also spoke to Express about his plans to improve policing.

“During my tenure or even after my retirement, the department will not get the desired number of personnel. But my objective is to get work done with the people we have. Nobody will work under me. We are going to work together. The BBMP elections are my first challenge. I have worked during the Lok Sabha, Assembly and gram panchayat elections, and I am confident I will be able to ensure there is no law and order disturbance. During the BBMP elections, I will visit all city police stations, Megharikh said.

“I am aware of the problem. We will work on a strategy. I have also seen days when we had to counter dacoits on the outskirts of the city.”

“I believe in grassroots and community policing. We will work under the ground, on the ground and above the ground. Under the ground, we will look at problems the public are not aware of. On the ground, we will develop a cordial relationship with the public. Above the ground, the police are active on social media, and we will continue to communicate with the public using it ” he said.

(Agencies)