Hariram Shankar Assumes Office as Superintendent of Police of Udupi District
Udupi: Hariram Shankar officially took charge as the new Superintendent of Police (SP) of Udupi district on Friday morning. The outgoing Additional SP of Law and Order, Sudhakar Naik, formally handed over responsibilities to Mr. Shankar.
In his address to the press following the assumption of office, SP Shankar emphasized the critical need for maintaining communal harmony within the district. He stressed the importance of public cooperation with the police force to proactively prevent incidents that could disrupt peace. He urged residents to promptly report any unlawful activities or information concerning potential disturbances.
Mr. Shankar assured the public of heightened vigilance to deter communal provocations and prevent incidents mirroring those occurring in other districts. He stated unequivocally that illegal activities would not be tolerated or supported under his leadership, and that the stringent measures implemented by his predecessors would continue. He further emphasized the importance of collaboration between the district’s residents and the police department, encouraging individuals with information regarding illegal activities or communal hatred to contact him directly via his 24/7 operational mobile number, the district control room, or the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP). He called for a united effort to uphold peace and order throughout the district.
A stern warning was issued against the dissemination of hate speech or communal provocative content on social media platforms. Mr. Shankar affirmed that social media activity would be closely monitored by police units at the station, district, and state levels. Posting, sharing, or forwarding such material constitutes a punishable offense, and those found responsible will face stringent legal action, including individuals attempting to conceal their identities behind fake profiles.
SP Shankar also sought to foster a more approachable environment at local police stations, encouraging the public to view them as resources rather than sources of apprehension. He committed to making police stations more people-friendly and addressing public concerns promptly through phone-in programs and public meetings.
The outgoing SP, Dr. Arun K., who served Udupi for approximately 20 months, has been transferred to Kannada district. The state government issued the transfer order on Thursday, appointing Hariram Shankar, previously SP of the Police Intelligence Division, to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Shankar, originally from Thrissur, Kerala, holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Calicut. He joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 2016 after securing 145th rank in the UPSC exam on his fifth attempt. His prior postings include Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Belagavi and Kundapur subdivisions, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Mangalore, and Superintendent of Police (SP) in Hassan.