Manvider Singh Bhatia, a 1993-batch IPS officer of Jharkhand cadre, assumed charge as inspector-general of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Bihar sector, on Thursday.

He replaced Arun Kumar, who was promoted to additional director-general rank.

Bhatia called on senior police officers, including director-general of police (DGP) P.K. Thakur, additional director-general (law and order) Alok Raj and inspector-general (operations) Kundan Krishnan at the police headquarters soon after taking up the new assignment in the state.

Bhatia is not new to Bihar. He had earlier served as city superintendent of police of Patna in undivided Bihar. He had won the confidence of the residents during his stint as city SP after a series of encounters with dreaded criminals, including Satya Sonar, whose name spelt terror among the railway passengers during the RJD rule in Bihar.

He opted for Jharkhand cadre after the division of Bihar in 2000. Bhatia is on central assignment for five years. "His posting as IG, CRPF, will herald a new beginning in operations against Maoists in Bihar," said an officer, who had served with Bhatia in Patna.

Bhatia is better known as an encounter specialist in police circles.