Two DGPs bid adieu to police force after 3 decades of service

Chennai: After serving state for more than three decades, two senior DGP-ranked IPS officers — Amaraesh Pujari and Abash Kumar — retire on March 31. While Pujari retires as the DGP of Tamil Nadu Paper Limited in Karur, Abash Kumar is director of Tamil Nadu fire and rescue department. A ceremonial farewell parade was held to honour the officers on Friday.
Both the officers had held key posts throughout their careers, including during the tenures of M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa as chief ministers.
Pujari, who had a knack of handling sensitive issues, was the intelligence chief when Jayalalithaa was CM. Following violence during Vanniyar Sangam's chithirai festival at Mamallapuram in 2011, Pujari arrested PMK leader Dr Ramadoss and senior PMK functionary Kaduvetti Guru, who were later detained at Tiruchi central prison.
Pujari's efforts extended beyond law enforcement. In 2018, he was instrumental in solving the 2016 train heist case, where a group looted currency notes that were being transported by a goods train.
Pujari also championed technological advancements in the police force, including development of Kaaval Uthavi mobile App, which provides services such as lodging complaints and accessing police helplines.
Abash Kumar's career highlights include managing large-scale riots and public safety during emergencies. In 1996, he played a pivotal role in constructing the ‘Police Bridge' in Virudhunagar, a 40-foot structure built by the police that connects a city road with the national highway, reducing travel time for vehicles. Kumar is also remembered for handling a massive riot between two groups in Tuticorin, which led to the torching of the superintendent of police's house in 1999. He ordered the police to open fire, killing six protesters. When three SC judges and over 1,500 tourists got stranded at Vivekananda Rock in Kanyakumari during a major public protest in 1999, his quick thinking and leadership helped the authorities rescue everyone. Both officers leave behind a legacy of service, leadership, problem-solving abilities and dedication.