Ranchi: Former Hazaribagh SP Anish Gupta assumed charge as Ranchi SSP on Sunday. He replaces Kuldeep Dwivedi, who has been made the new DIG of Kolhan.

A 2008-batch IPS officer, Gupta has earned the reputation of a tough cop in his roles as Ramgarh ASP and SPs of Khunti, West Singhbhum and Hazaribagh districts. His action on crime control, anti-Naxalite and community policing have often received appreciation from various quarters.

"Traffic management in city areas will be my additional challenge in Ranchi. But I will try my best to live up to people's expectations," Gupta told The Telegraph .

He said special attention would be given to improving intelligence network and optimum use of latest technology for controlling crime and curbing rebel menace. Dragging out rebels and criminals from their hideouts in the capital suburbs will be taken up on a mission mode. "Though the job appears difficult, it is not impossible. It can be accomplished through optimum use of resources and technology," he said.

A graduate in electronics and communications, Gupta is known for not buckling under pressure from the higher-ups.

His sudden transfer from Khunti in less than a year in October 2014 had hurled the then chief minister Hemant Soren and the then DGP Rajeev Kumar in the eye of the storm.

Soon after becoming the chief minister in December 2014, Raghubar Das brought Gupta back to Khunti in January 2015. "Here (Ranchi) too I will be sticking to the rulebook. I don't want to say anything beyond this," Gupta said.

Outgoing SSP Kuldeep Dwivedi said working in Ranchi was a great learning experience. He tried to maintain law and order and improve police-public relation.

"I am grateful to the people of Ranchi for their love. I am also thankful for the support and guidance of my superiors and cooperation of my subordinates," Dwivedi said.