First police commissioner of Indore Harinarayanachari Mishra, President's Police Medal awardee, Exclusive Interview
From fighting naxals in Raipur to taking charge at dacoits in Gwalior, the first police commissioner of Indore Harinarayanachari Mishra is a role-model for many youngsters and aspiring police officers. The inspirational officer had a face-to-face interview and shared his experience and essential plans for Indore.
Ques: Please tell us about the President's Police Medal that you will be receiving on August 15, 2022.
Mishra: The President's Police Medal for Gallantry is awarded for gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals. Any police personnel is expected to perform uniformly following his duties, preventing crime and staying honest with the oath. The medal can be awarded to any member of a police service in India. It is not an award for a certain rank or considers time in service.
Ques: Among several postings and tasks undertaken by you, which is the most challenging and is your biggest achievement?
Mishra: During my tenure in Raipur, I had to work to fight naxal attacks. It was a challenging task to set the area free from naxals, but challenges often bring out the best in us. I began with breaking their groups. Eventually, we were able to bring the naxals down on their knees and set the city free from their attacks. Naxal leaders had to finally surrender and it was my biggest achievement.
Ques: When and how did you receive Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak?
Mishra: During my tenure in Khandwa, I came across a situation of major conflicts between religious groups. The entire district was always in a split. Riots were common. This hatred was channelizing a lot of crime. I worked on cancelling the hatred by creating good bonds in community members. I undertook various tasks to make the religious groups trust each other. There were some disturbing people, who fed and promoted hatred in groups. Stern action was taken against such people setting a new way of life. This task was rewarded by the government with Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak.
Ques: Which experience is closest to your heart?
Mishra: I had a unique experience in Jabalpur. There was organised crime, terror group attack, violence and others. We burst into those groups and ensured stern punishments. However, what made my experience unique here was the high rate of suicide. People from all age groups would frequently commit suicide. We conducted a survey and decided to beat this problem. I made an organisation named Sanjeevni. Under the organisation, we would counsel people from all age groups. Slowly, the suicide rates came down. More importantly this project made my heart happy. I felt blessed to be able to save lives
Ques: How was your experience in Gwalior?
Mishra: Gwalior was a hotspot for dacoits when I was posted there. In my two year tenure there, we slowly invaded their crimes and controlled their attacks on people.
Ques: What are the issues in Indore and how will you counter them?
Mishra: The main target in Indore is to control crime and harassment against women, children and elderly. The incidents of eve teasing are too many here. We are deploying road forces to control that. There is also a budding drug mafia in the city. We have already started crashing and bursting these people. We have got some success and will not let them flourish here. Just like major metro cities, people are trying to create a vicious circle of organised crime here, but we will bring any such to end. Indore will have zero tolerance policy against any organised crime. Some people are trying to make them work. But we will burst them. Another issue in Indore is traffic control. To manage that, we are developing a new system. We already have a traffic inspector and an engineering inspector to coordinate for the new system and regulation of traffic rules in the city.
Ques: Are you considering or implementing beat system in Indore police?
Mishra: Beat system wherein there is a specific beat constable and beat inspector is a good and functional system. Currently, we don't have enough staff but it is important. We are trying to gather force and strengthen it. Further, we would be implementing the system.
Ques: What keeps you going?
Mishra: My family and their support keeps me going. I have received immense support from my family. I have faced challenges in keeping a very close connection with my kids, because of my duties, but I try to give them. My parents and my wife take care of everything, because of which I can serve people. I will try to fulfil my duties for both my family and the country.
Regards,
Tina Khatri
Ques: Please tell us about the President's Police Medal that you will be receiving on August 15, 2022.
Mishra: The President's Police Medal for Gallantry is awarded for gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals. Any police personnel is expected to perform uniformly following his duties, preventing crime and staying honest with the oath. The medal can be awarded to any member of a police service in India. It is not an award for a certain rank or considers time in service.
Ques: Among several postings and tasks undertaken by you, which is the most challenging and is your biggest achievement?
Mishra: During my tenure in Raipur, I had to work to fight naxal attacks. It was a challenging task to set the area free from naxals, but challenges often bring out the best in us. I began with breaking their groups. Eventually, we were able to bring the naxals down on their knees and set the city free from their attacks. Naxal leaders had to finally surrender and it was my biggest achievement.
Ques: When and how did you receive Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak?
Mishra: During my tenure in Khandwa, I came across a situation of major conflicts between religious groups. The entire district was always in a split. Riots were common. This hatred was channelizing a lot of crime. I worked on cancelling the hatred by creating good bonds in community members. I undertook various tasks to make the religious groups trust each other. There were some disturbing people, who fed and promoted hatred in groups. Stern action was taken against such people setting a new way of life. This task was rewarded by the government with Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak.
Ques: Which experience is closest to your heart?
Mishra: I had a unique experience in Jabalpur. There was organised crime, terror group attack, violence and others. We burst into those groups and ensured stern punishments. However, what made my experience unique here was the high rate of suicide. People from all age groups would frequently commit suicide. We conducted a survey and decided to beat this problem. I made an organisation named Sanjeevni. Under the organisation, we would counsel people from all age groups. Slowly, the suicide rates came down. More importantly this project made my heart happy. I felt blessed to be able to save lives
Ques: How was your experience in Gwalior?
Mishra: Gwalior was a hotspot for dacoits when I was posted there. In my two year tenure there, we slowly invaded their crimes and controlled their attacks on people.
Ques: What are the issues in Indore and how will you counter them?
Mishra: The main target in Indore is to control crime and harassment against women, children and elderly. The incidents of eve teasing are too many here. We are deploying road forces to control that. There is also a budding drug mafia in the city. We have already started crashing and bursting these people. We have got some success and will not let them flourish here. Just like major metro cities, people are trying to create a vicious circle of organised crime here, but we will bring any such to end. Indore will have zero tolerance policy against any organised crime. Some people are trying to make them work. But we will burst them. Another issue in Indore is traffic control. To manage that, we are developing a new system. We already have a traffic inspector and an engineering inspector to coordinate for the new system and regulation of traffic rules in the city.
Ques: Are you considering or implementing beat system in Indore police?
Mishra: Beat system wherein there is a specific beat constable and beat inspector is a good and functional system. Currently, we don't have enough staff but it is important. We are trying to gather force and strengthen it. Further, we would be implementing the system.
Ques: What keeps you going?
Mishra: My family and their support keeps me going. I have received immense support from my family. I have faced challenges in keeping a very close connection with my kids, because of my duties, but I try to give them. My parents and my wife take care of everything, because of which I can serve people. I will try to fulfil my duties for both my family and the country.
Regards,
Tina Khatri