NEW DELHI: Following his recent assumption of charge, the new Director General of Police for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ravindra Singh Yadav, is learnt to have launched a major modernization push for the archipelago's law enforcement, signaling a shift toward tech-driven and intelligence-led law enforcement.
This sweeping reform agenda marks a double-pronged strategy, overhauling the territory's criminal justice infrastructure while introducing an aggressive new anti-narcotics and cyber-forensics mandate alongside a strict directive to ensure the protection and welfare of the vulnerable Jarawa tribe.
The focus came during a comprehensive operational review of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) unit, marking the newly appointed police chief's first major policy directive aimed at tackling evolving crime trends like cyber fraud and narcotics trafficking.
Yadav, a seasoned Indian Police Service (IPS) officer with a distinguished track record across challenging assignments in Delhi, Goa, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh, used the strategic review to establish a blueprint for his tenure.
Highlighting a proactive, victim-centric approach, the DGP directed the CID to heavily integrate advanced digital forensics, cyber security analytics, and scientific investigation tools into their daily operations to better handle modern criminal networks. A central fixture of the police chief's new mandate is the aggressive optimization of national digital infrastructure, officials said. Yadav ordered the strict implementation of the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) and the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) across the islands.
"By maximizing these platforms, the administration aims to seamlessly bridge gaps in information sharing, streamline investigation management, and accelerate criminal justice delivery across the territory's unique geography," he said.
Beyond digital infrastructure, the DGP addressed critical operational domains, specifically demanding heightened enforcement and timely intervention in cases involving crimes against women and anti-narcotics operations.
Crucially, Yadav also emphasized the police force's responsibility toward the indigenous population, directing field officers to strictly enforce regulations protecting the Jarawa tribe from external exploitation, illegal intrusions, and tourist interference.
He emphasized that building public trust requires a highly transparent and citizen-centric system, which can only be achieved through enhanced inter-agency coordination and evidence-based policing.
Closing the review, Yadav rallied the CID personnel to actively upgrade their technical skill sets to keep pace with emerging criminal tactics. "By aligning the local force with cutting-edge investigative technologies and rigorous professional standards, the new DGP has set a clear benchmark for his administration, aiming to transform the Andaman and Nicobar Police into a highly modernized, efficient, and sophisticated force capable of handling both localized offenses and complex transnational cybercrimes," a senior govt officer said.
