Odisha Origin Helps In Tackling Challenges In Kashmir: DGP R R Swain During Visit To Home Town Rourkela

Rourkela: Odisha-born IPS officer and Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir Rashmi Ranjan Swain says the resilience gained through his origin now helps him in leading the force in the region bordering Pakistan.

“I am proud to be back in Rourkela .. every bit of it I have enjoyed,” Swain said during his first visit to his home town after taking charge as the DGP of Jammu and Kashmir in November, last year.

The 1991-batch AGMUT cadre officer, who hails from civil township area of Rourkela, said his origin has been helping him immensely in discharging the duty efficiently and meeting big challenges under difficult situations in Kashmir.

Noting that a middle-class Odia family provides abundant resilience, he said an ordinary Odia is generally guided by a set of principles, values, ethical considerations and cultural ethos while working for the safety of the country and its people.

Describing his posting as a great opportunity, the senior IPS officer said it involves maintaining law and order, providing security to the people and fighting terrorists where Pakistan keeps a close watch on the movements and activities of every individual.

Besides investigating into terror finance and looking after logistics, one has to fight anti-national narrative, Swain said, adding, “this is a historic moment after scrapping of article 370. It is really a big opportunity to lead the Jammu and Kashmir police and work in close coordination with the army and para-military forces.”

Stating that it is a major challenge to lead a force in a border state with a very hostile neighbour, complicated history, legacy, difficult terrain, he said one has to put every ounce of energy – moral, physical, and mental – to do the job efficiently.

Prior this appointment as DGP, Swain had served as J&K intelligence head. An experienced Pakistan analyst, he also had a noteworthy stint with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

According to reports, Swain served as SSP in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar from 2003 to 2004. He was also the SSP Jammu for a while. He also held the positions of SSP Leh, Poonch, and Ramban. He was posted with J&K Vigilance agency from 2004 to 2006 as Assistant Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General of Police. Subsequently, Swain went on central deputation, serving in many roles, including a posting abroad reserved for exceptional officers due to their skill in their particular domains.

Following a request by the J&K government to the Centre for the use of his services, Swain was returned to J&K in June 2020. He took over as J&K’s intelligence chief on June 15. He is credited with the creation of the State Investigation Agency (SIA) in J&K on the lines of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).