Containing narco-terror biggest challenge in state: DGP Gupta

Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 8

New Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta terms containing cross-border narco-terrorism as the biggest challenge confronting the state while asserting that there is no people’s support to terrorism and separatism.

In an exclusive interview with The Tribune today, a day after taking over the charge, Gupta said incidents of terrorism in last four years were surely a cause of concern but there was no resonance of terrorism or any such movement in the state.

On how he will deal with the attempts to revive terrorism, Gupta said the police had no objection to any protest or demand made peacefully, within the Indian Constitution, by any local or outside organisation but no one would be allowed to cross the line.

“We will deal firmly with anyone who tries to put public safety in danger. No one will be allowed to indulge in any violent protest on any issue. As long as a protest is peaceful, the police will not mind,” said Gupta.

Dinkar is one of the youngest DGPs of the state. He has superseded five officers. On reports of infighting and turf war within the department, Gupta said he believed in taking all along for the betterment of the state.

Gupta had an eight-year stint on Central deputation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) from June 2004 to July 2012, where he held many sensitive assignments, including Head of the Dignitary Protection Division of the MHA.

He had served as Senior Superintendent of Police (district police chief) of Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts for more than seven years during the terrorism phase in Punjab. He also served as DIG (Jalandhar Range), DIG (Ludhiana Range), DIG (Counter-Intelligence), Punjab, and DIG (Intelligence), Punjab, till 2004.

Dinkar Gupta was decorated with the Police Medal for Gallantry (1992) and Bar to Police Medal for Gallantry (1994) for display of exceptional courage, conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty of a high order. He was also decorated with the Police Medal for Meritorious Services by the President and the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (2010).

Gupta has also been a visiting professor (2000-01) at George Washington University, Washington DC, USA, and American University, Washington DC, where he was invited to design and teach a course titled “Governments under siege: Understanding terrorism and terrorists” during January-May 2001.

In 1999, Gupta was awarded the British Chevening Gurukul Scholarship by the British Council to attend a 10-week Gurukul Programme in Leadership and Excellence at London School of Economics, London.

He has trained with many international police forces, including the Scotland Yard, London and New York Police Department. He has also lectured at leading American think tanks and universities. He represented India at a symposium on international terrorism organised by Interpol in 1996.