Mysuru: Senior IPS Officer K.V. Sharath Chandra took charge as the new IGP of Southern Range at the IGP Office in Nazarbad here this morning.

Speaking to press persons on the occasion,  Sharath Chandra said that with increasing crimes being reported on Highways, an exclusive squad will be formed to deal with robberies and other crimes on the Highways.

Pointing out that his main focus would be on Law and Order maintenance and Crime prevention, he said that he will hold a meeting of SPs of all the five districts coming under the range — Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu — this afternoon to review the present status on Law & Order maintenance and Crime detection.

Stating that the Police personnel will be sensitised and updated on VIP security, security and safety of dams, shrines and other religious places, crowd control measures etc., the new IGP said that strict action will be taken against gambling, hawala transactions, unauthorised cattle transport and such other illegal activities.

Highlighting the role of media and people in better Policing, the IGP sought the people’s feedback on functioning of the Police Stations.

Mysuru SP Amit  Singh and other Police officials were present.