3 State police officers to serve in Bosnia

By S. Rajendran

BANGALORE, AUG. 21. Three police inspectors from the State have been selected to serve with the United Nations Force in Bosnia. The programme has been in operation for nearly three years, and an increasing number of Karnataka police personnel have done the State proud.

Mr. P.K. Shivashankar, Inspector, Seshadripuram and High Grounds Traffic Zone, Mr. N. Nagaraja, Inspector, Shivajinagar, and Mr. G.N. Munivenkatappa, Inspector, Tilaknagar will leave Bangalore on Thursday to join police personnel from other States who will assemble in New Delhi on Friday. From there the 75 men chosen from across the country will be flown to Bosnia where they will serve for a year.

The United Nations, in its attempt to ensure peace in some of the trouble-torn countries, has picked police personnel from the developed and the developing countries. Apart from regular policing work, the peace-keeping force is meant to infuse confidence among the local population.

The three inspectors from the State were put through a tough selection process by the United Nations. Their policing skills, comprehension, and driving skills were tested. A group discussion was a part of the selection process. Officers of and above the rank of Police Inspector, including a large number of IPS officers, appeared for the test which was held some time ago.

Sources in the Government told The Hindu that the international exposure would prove beneficial to the policemen from the State. Working with police personnel from several other countries would enable them to sharpen their skills.

While Mr. Shivashankar and Mr. Munivenkatappa belong to the 1975 batch of the State police service, Mr. Nagaraja belongs to the 1976 batch. The three have been awarded the Chief Minister's police medal for meritorious service, and Mr. Nagaraja, who took part in the anti-Veerappan operations, was also awarded the President's police medal for meritorious service.

Mr. V.V. Bhaskar, Director-General and Inspector-General of Police, and Mr. S. Mariswamy, Additional Director-General of Police (Administration), who felicitated the three inspectors on the eve of their departure, told The Hindu that the international exposure would be a morale booster. It would also make them more committed to their work on their return from the mission.

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Section  : Southern States
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