Serving as DGP J&K was hard call, not lip service: R R Swain

Srinagar, Sep 30: Urging the people of Jammu and Kashmir to enjoy peace without fear, outgoing Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Ranjan Swain Monday described his tenure as J&K Police chief as a “hard call”, and “not lip service”.

“I think I tried to do my best and feel good about it, and I have not lost the opportunity,” Swain told reporters after visiting the Balidan Stambh at Pratap Park in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk.

He said that there was the importance of not only maintaining peace but also ensuring that peace comes with dignity for the people of J&K.

"It was a hard call... but with all my sincerity and command—soul, body, and mind - I did try to utilise the opportunities that I had to bring a smile, to remove fear, to bring happiness and prosperity to everyone,” Swain said.

He laid a wreath on Balidan Stambh and paid tributes to the killed policemen.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain Mir, SP East Srinagar, Mubashir Bukhari and other officers were present on the occasion.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve Jammu and Kashmir, what he said, during one of the most tumultuous periods in recent history.

“It was an eventful phase in which I tried to contribute to bring lasting peace, peace with dignity in J&K,” he said.

Swain retired on Monday after a tenure defined by emphasis on bringing lasting peace to J&K.

His successor Nalin Prabhat is set to assume charge as DGP on Tuesday.

“Everybody in J&K should enjoy peace and should be able to live prosperously, free from fear and intimidation. That was my effort,” he said.

“This opportunity doesn’t come to all,” the outgoing DGP said, thanking the government for the chance to serve in such a critical role. “I am grateful to the government as well as the Almighty, and extend thanks to all my colleagues within the J&K Police and security agencies.”