The new Superintendent of Police of Visakhapatnam Rural, who took charge today, said curbing the Maoist menace, checking ganja smuggling and illegal sand mining are his top priorities.
Rahul Dev Sharma, who succeeded Koya Praveen as the new SP, said he will continue the policing initiatives started by his predecessor.
After assuming charge, the 2010-batch IPS officer told the media his top priorities would be to curb the Maoist menace in Visakhapatnam Agency (which houses mainly tribal communities), check ganja smuggling and illegal sand mining.
Sharma said he will focus on implementing people- friendly policing in the district.
On the Maoist problem, he said besides Visakhapatnam, its neighbouring districts of Vizianagaram and East Godavari, too, are affected by Naxalism.
"I have some understanding of Left-Wing Extremism since I worked as ASP (Assistant SP) of Parvathipuram in Vizianagaram district. I will visit the affected areas of Vizag Agency for a better understanding of the issue."
The SP promised to take steps to reduce road accidents on the NH-16 stretch passing through the district.
The IPS officer earlier worked in Vizianagaram, Kadapa districts and also as SP (CID).
