Thiruvananthapuram:IPS officer Loknath Behera, who retired as the Director General of Police on Wednesday, enjoyed warm ties with chief ministers Pinarayi Vijayan and K Karunakaran.
Vijayan’s move to make Behera the State Police Chief (SPC) had not gone down well with his party colleagues initially, but the officer soon became acceptable to them. Behera’s closeness to the late Congress giant Karunakaran was behind the initial opposition.
Behera, rich with experiences in the CBI and NIA, took charge as the SPC in 2016. He was one of the founding members of the National Investigation Agency, formed after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. The agency was set up in 2009 to probe cases with terror links.
The officer headed the intelligence and operations of the agency for four-and-a-half years. He also led the team that interrogated David Coleman Headly, an American terrorist of Pakistani origin, in the US in 2010. Headly was behind the conspiracy in plotting the Mumbai attacks.
Behera was also the founding member of the Central Bureau of Intelligence’s counter-terrorism wing. He had investigated the Purulia arms drop, hijack of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 to Kandahar, Babri Masjid demolition and Hiren Pandya assassination case, among others.
Kerala stint as DGP
One of the long-serving SPCs in Kerala, Behera was accessible to all. He never disappointed anyone who contacted him with requests, be it for medicine, security or investigation. Controversies were discussed with colleagues, and the officer, once convinced, never hesitated to correct a wrong order or an initiative.
Behera gave priority to the modernization of the force. He introduced modern technology to all policing matters, including investigation.
The Facebook page of Kerala Police, launched under the leadership of Behera, has 16 lakh followers. It is now the prominent one among the social media presence of police departments across the world.
Controversies too
Behera’s tenure was not without controversies. P T Thomas, MLA, alleged something fishy as the top cop met Pinarayi Vijayan’s advocate in the Lavalin case. The MLA also accused Behera of being the bridge between the Centre and Vijayan.
The officer, however, remained unperturbed. “There is no politics at work. The Chief Minister is working professionally. I gave him 110% support,” the DGP stated, settling the issue.
Farewell to boss
A farewell parade was accorded to Behera at the Special Armed Police Ground at Peroorkkada in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday morning. The officer does not have immediate plans to return to Odisha, his home state.
A painter himself, Behera is planning a painting on the activities of the Kerala Police on a big canvas. He is also still-photographer who owns eight cameras.
Behera is the recipient of the President’s medals for meritorious and distinguished services. Married to Madhumita, Behera has a son, Anitej Nayan Gopal.
Anil Kanth, IPS, will head the 50,000-strong Kerala police force after Behera.
