New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Neeraj Thakur the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands.

Thakur, a 1994 batch IPS officer, is currently serving as Special Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, Delhi Police. The MHA also transferred incumbent Andaman and Nicobar DGP Satyendra Garg to Delhi. Garg, a 1987 batch AGMUT cadre IPS officer, took charge as DGP Andaman and Nicobar in December 2020.

NF Santook, first Indian Police Service officer took charge of Andaman and Nicobar Police on January 16, 1953, after six years of Independence. However, the Chief Commissioner continued to be ex-officio Inspector General of Police. The Andaman and Nicobar Police Force continued to be headed by IPS officers.

In 1963, DANIP service, a separate service for administration of UTs of Delhi, Himachal and A&N Islands was evolved and RK Ohri was the first Superintendent of Police posted in the year 1965 and with that started the saga of expansion of Andaman and Nicobar Police.

The Executive Police was further divided into three Sub-Divisions – South Andaman, North Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands. Besides, Armed Police, Special Armed Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Island Communication, Fire Service, PTS, PMT, PMF and IRBn were also set up as separate units. The post of Chief of Police was upgraded as Director General of Police in the year 2007.

At present, Andaman and Nicobar Police have a strength of 5008 including India Reserve Battalion under the command of the Director General of Police assisted by one ADGP, two IGPs, two DIGPs, one Commandant IRBn, eight SPs, one ASP, 19 Deputy SPs and four Assistant Commandants (IRBn). /BI/