Jatin Narwal

Jamshedpur, Feb. 14: Jatin Narwal, superintendent of police, Special Task Force (STF), today took charge as East Singhbhum SP (city).

The new post of SP (city) was created following a spate of crimes in the steel city over December and January.

Last month, the state cabinet approved the appointment, along with that of a rural SP and a senior SP. On February 10, Ranjit Kumar Prasad took charge as SP (rural) on deputation.

“I am new to this place. My priorities are to ensure proper law and order and to gain the confidence of people by strengthening the police-public relationship,” said Narwal, soon after taking charge.

The 2006 batch IPS officer was posted as SP of STF in Ranchi prior to his new assignment. During his short stint in Jharkhand, Narwal also served as superintendent of police in Naxal-hit Khunti and Palamau.

The 27-year-old will look after 16 police stations in the steel city and report to Naveen Kumar Singh, the district SP. Singh is tipped to be the new senior SP, though a formal notification is yet to be issued in this regard. Some of the police stations that will fall under Narwal’s jurisdiction are Bistupur, Sakchi, Sonari, Kadma, Jugsalai, Telco and Sidhgora.

“My focus is to rid the city of crime for which we will need the co-operation of the people,” said Narwal.

The Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other trade bodies welcomed Narwal’s appointment. “We are happy with the appointment. It will ensure better policing in the steel city,” said Suresh Sonthalia, general secretary of SCCI.