Former DGP Neel Mani hands over charge to his successor Abhayanand (right) at the police headquarters in Patna on Wednesday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Aug. 31: Abhayanand, who became the 48th director-general of police (DGP) of Bihar today, said restoring people’s faith in the system would be his top priority.

After taking charge from Neel Mani, who retired from service, Abhayanand said he would try his best to live up to the expectations of the residents of the state. He added that he would work within the ambit of the law and would not allow anyone to violate it.

“Kanoon hi hamara ashtra hai, kanoon hi hamara dhal (Law is our weapon, law is our shield.) Don’t go beyond the purview of the law”, he said.

Abhayanand appealed to policemen of all ranks to co-operate with him in maintaining law and order and restoring people’s confidence in the police force.

“The government has shown faith in me and I will leave no stone unturned to deliver my cent per cent. But this is not possible without the people’s co-operation,” he told reporters after taking over the reins of the state police at 6pm.

Abhayanand said he would develop a mechanism to curb crime.

“First, I will take a look at the crime scenario and then chalk out a detailed strategy to contain it,” he said, adding that curbing kidnapping for ransom, particularly of schoolchildren, would be on his priority.

He said the police needed to adjust themselves with the changing profile of the criminals. “The focus of the criminals has shifted from firearms to other things. There is need to feel the change and equip ourselves accordingly,” he said.

The new DGP said once he settled down, he would implement certain methods to check crime. “Bringing the culprits to book and getting them punished through speedy trial will be one of the agendas of the police force in curbing crime,” he said.

On the issue of corruption plaguing the police force, Abhayanand said it varied from individual to individual. Recalling an incident when he was a probationary IPS officer, Abhayanand quoted a former CBI officer to express his view. “Nobody is more demoralised by anything other than his own misdeeds,” Abhayanand said, quoting the former officer.

Abhayanand, whose father late Jagadanand had joined as the Bihar DGP about 25 years ago, said there was need to look into different dimensions of the Naxalite problem. “Providing only infrastructure to the police will not serve the purpose,” he said, adding that the moral of the force should be high to deal with such problems.

Earlier, Mani took the guard of honour at Mithilesh Stadium. A host of senior IPS officers and their family members were present. Abhayanand’s mother Krishnanand, his brother Ajayanand, a senior railway officer, and daughter Richa were also present. Mani said the state police was capable enough to deal with any eventuality. “More and more infrastructure is being provided to the police force by the present dispensation,” he said.