Raipur: Chhattisgarh’s security strategy is increasingly extending beyond countering Left Wing Extremism to include connectivity, governance, industrial security and cybercrime, according to Gurjinder Pal Singh (IPS: 1994: CG), Director General, Training and Director, State Police Academy, Chhattisgarh Police.
Speaking at the Viksit Chhattisgarh Conclave 2026, Singh said security has a direct bearing on the investment environment, as businesses require safe movement of employees and goods, functioning infrastructure and a predictable operating environment.
He said the police’s role therefore extends beyond responding to incidents to anticipating risks and supporting an environment in which legitimate economic activity can operate without disruption.
From Security Operations to Development Support
Discussing the state’s approach to Left Wing Extremism, Singh described a three-stage approach of “clear, hold and build”.
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Under this framework, areas affected by extremism are first secured through focused and intelligence-led operations. A sustained security presence is then maintained, followed by efforts to expand governance, connectivity, education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities.
Singh said the objective is not merely to remove violence from an area but to create conditions in which it does not return.
Roads, Telecom Become Part of Security Architecture
Connectivity has emerged as an important component of both security and public service delivery in formerly affected areas, Singh said.
According to figures cited in the discussion, more than 4,000 km of roads and 1,333 telecommunications towers have been brought into operation in such areas.
He said roads allow security personnel to move while also improving access for doctors, teachers and government officials. Telecommunications, meanwhile, can connect communities with digital services, information and economic opportunities.
Niyad Nellanar Model
Singh also referred to Niyad Nellanar, the state’s initiative aimed at extending development and essential services to communities in areas historically affected by Left Wing Extremism.
He said security camps can provide a platform for sustained presence, but the larger objective is to facilitate access to roads, electricity, water, schools, healthcare and livelihood opportunities around these areas.
Police Prepare for Cybercrime
The changing nature of the economy is also creating new security challenges, Singh said, pointing to the growing use of digital transactions and online public and business services.
He identified UPI fraud, phishing, impersonation, digital-arrest scams and data-related offences among the emerging threats.
Singh said the police response needs to combine public awareness with greater cyber capabilities within the force. He also highlighted AI, drones, data analytics and digital evidence as technologies that can assist policing, while stressing that technology needs to be accompanied by appropriate training and institutional capacity.
Focus on Industrial Security
As Chhattisgarh’s industrial activity expands, Singh said industrial security needs to cover more than the physical premises of factories.
The wider ecosystem includes employees, logistics, transport routes, supply chains, critical infrastructure and business continuity. Any disruption in these areas can affect economic activity, he said.
He also emphasised the need for police to identify vulnerabilities and potential disputes before they develop into major security incidents.
Security, Connectivity and Opportunity
Singh said improved security and connectivity can expand access to education, healthcare, markets, digital services and employment opportunities in areas that previously faced isolation.
He said the long-term objective is not limited to reducing security incidents but also involves ensuring that communities have access to governance and economic opportunities.
“Security is not the destination. Security creates the space in which development can happen,” Singh said, outlining a broader sequence of security, connectivity, access, governance, investment, employment and opportunity.
Singh’s current assignment places him at the head of police training and the State Police Academy. He was appointed DG, Training and Director, State Police Academy in a major Chhattisgarh IPS reshuffle in August 2026.
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