Sri Vijaya Puram, May 20: A ceremonial farewell parade with full honours was organised at the Police Lines Parade Ground in Sri Vijaya Puram on Tuesday in honour of Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, Director General of Police of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, marking the end of his tenure in the Islands following his transfer back to Delhi.
The event, attended by senior police officers and personnel from different wings of the department, marked the conclusion of more than 21 months of service by the outgoing DGP, who had assumed charge on August 26, 2024.
The parade featured seven contingents comprising Executive Police personnel, including male and female platoons, India Reserve Battalion personnel, Fire and Emergency Services staff and members of the Home Guard Organisation. Two police bands, the Male Brass Band and Ladies Pipe Band, also participated in the ceremonial event.
Officials said the parade was commanded by Naveen Kumar, Assistant Commandant of the India Reserve Battalion. Senior officers from the rank of Inspector General of Police to Deputy Superintendent of Police, along with personnel from various police units, were present during the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Dhaliwal extended greetings to the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and members of the police force. Recalling his tenure in the Islands, he appreciated the professionalism, discipline and dedication of police personnel, particularly those posted in remote islands and operationally challenging locations.
He acknowledged the role of officers and personnel working under difficult geographical and logistical conditions and said their commitment to duty remained central to maintaining law and order across the archipelago.
During his address, the outgoing DGP highlighted several initiatives and enforcement measures undertaken during his tenure. These included intensified drives against narcotics trafficking, bootlegging, drug peddling, drunken driving and illegal immigration.
He also referred to measures aimed at strengthening community outreach, improving transparency in policing and reinforcing discipline within the force.
Apart from enforcement activities, Dhaliwal highlighted welfare initiatives introduced for police personnel during his tenure. These included the grant of two promotional upgradations after completion of 15 and 25 years of service, improvements in police residential infrastructure and welfare facilities, and reduction in the tenure of Look-Out Post (LOP) guard duties for personnel serving in remote areas.
One of the initiatives specifically highlighted during the ceremony was the installation of solar power systems at all Look-Out Posts across the Islands, which officials said was undertaken to improve living and operational conditions for personnel stationed in isolated locations.
Dhaliwal expressed gratitude to officers and personnel of the Andaman and Nicobar Police for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure and said the traditions, discipline and people-friendly image of the force would remain memorable to him.
In his concluding remarks, he urged personnel to continue discharging their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and sincerity while working towards strengthening policing standards and public service delivery in the Islands.
The farewell parade concluded with senior officers and personnel paying tribute to the outgoing DGP, whose tenure was marked by administrative reforms, enforcement campaigns and welfare-focused initiatives within the police force.
Dhaliwal’s transfer comes at a time when the Andaman and Nicobar Police continue to focus on coastal security, anti-narcotics operations, community policing and strengthening operational infrastructure across the geographically dispersed island territory.
