New Delhi: The Union government has appointed senior IPS officer Sundarraj P as an Inspector General in the National Investigation Agency (NIA), marking a significant transition for one of the most experienced officers to have served in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. According to PTI, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order directing the Chhattisgarh government to relieve the officer so that he can assume his new responsibilities at the Centre.
Sundarraj, a 2003-batch Indian Police Service officer, is widely recognised for his extensive service in Bastar, an area that has long been affected by Naxal violence. The appointment follows approval from the competent authority and places him in one of India’s premier counter-terror investigation agencies.
Long Association With Bastar
Sundarraj P has spent nearly 12 years serving in the Bastar region, making him the longest-serving IPS officer in the area. Of these, around seven years were spent continuously as Inspector General and police chief of the Bastar Range, which comprises seven districts in southern Chhattisgarh. Until recently, these districts were among the most Maoist-affected regions in the country.
His tenure coincided with several major anti-Naxal operations carried out by state police and central security forces. Officials have credited him with playing a key supervisory role in these campaigns and in coordinating efforts among multiple security agencies operating in the region.
Key Role in Anti-Naxal Operations
Throughout his years in Bastar, Sundarraj became one of the most visible faces of the anti-Maoist campaign. He regularly briefed the media on developments related to security operations, including both successes and setbacks faced by forces on the ground.
According to PTI, senior officials believe the Ministry of Home Affairs made a special recommendation for his deputation to the NIA in recognition of his leadership and contribution to operations against Maoist insurgents in Bastar.
Academic Background and Career
Originally from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Sundarraj holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science. Over the course of his policing career, he has built a reputation for handling complex security challenges and for his sustained involvement in counter-insurgency efforts in Chhattisgarh.
His appointment to the NIA comes at a time when the agency continues to play a central role in investigating terrorism-related offences and other cases linked to national security.
