Centre appoints Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar as new CRPF chief

New Delhi : Just two after the Sukma attack in which 25 CRPF jawans were killed, the centre has appointed Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar as the new CRPF chief.

The post was vacant for more than eight weeks as the Centre was not able to zero in on a name.

Currently, Bhatnagar is the DG, Narcotics Control Bureau and served CISF head earlier. He belongs to 1983 batch, UP cadre.

The Centre was criticised by Opposition after the attack as the anti-insurgency force remained headless for brief time.

 The government also named RK Pachnanda, the new DG of the Indo Tibetan Border Police. Pachnanda will take charge on 1 July when Krishna Chaudhary retires.

The blame forced the Central govt to act swiftly and appoint Bhatnagar. After the attack, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the govt will change its policy to tackle insurgency.

 

Earlier in the day, Home Minister chaired a high-level meeting that stressed on the need to strengthen the CRPF's ability to gather intelligence.