Thrissur: The command of the India Reserve (IR) Battalion has passed on to the wife of its outgoing chief.
This rare change of guard happened when the IR Battalion commandant Debesh Kumar Behera was sent on central deputation as the joint deputy director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). His wife Uma Behera, who was the assistant director of the Kerala Police Academy here, took charge of the battalion from him.
Debesh had earlier worked as the police chief of Palakkad, Malappuram, Thrissur and Kollam districts. His investigative skills helped him land the coveted post. Earlier he had been tasked with coordinating the activities of the anti-Naxal and anti-terrorist squads.
Uma was earlier associated with the IR Battalion as commandant. She had also worked as the police chief of Kollam and Kozhikode districts.
IRB is a special armed police force.
