Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has effected a reshuffle of six senior IPS officers, changing key assignments in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Special Task Force (STF), Intelligence wing and several police ranges.
According to a notification issued by the Home Department on Friday, the reshuffle involves officers holding important positions in specialised investigation units as well as field formations across the state. The changes are expected to take effect with immediate effect.
One of the key appointments is that of Himansu Kumar Lal, who has been moved from the Northern Range, Sambalpur, to head the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Bhubaneswar. He will also hold the additional charge of the Special Task Force (STF).
Himansu Kumar Lal Gets EOW, Additional Charge of STF
Himansu Kumar Lal, who was serving as Inspector General of Police (IGP), Northern Range, Sambalpur, has been transferred and appointed IGP, Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Bhubaneswar.
In addition to his new assignment, Lal has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Special Task Force (STF).
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The appointment is significant as both the EOW and STF are specialised units of the Odisha Police dealing with sensitive cases and operations. While the EOW focuses on economic offences and financial crimes, the STF handles organised criminal activities and other specialised investigations.
Lal’s appointment therefore places him at the helm of two important specialised policing formations in the state.
Satyabrat Bhoi Appointed IGP, Intelligence
Satyabrat Bhoi, who was serving as IGP, Northern Central Range, Talcher, has been appointed IGP, Intelligence.
He will replace Jai Narayan Pankaj, who has been shifted from the Intelligence wing.
Bhoi was also holding the additional charge of Principal, Police Training College, Angul. His latest posting as IGP, Intelligence comes alongside his continued responsibility at the training institution.
The Intelligence wing is a critical component of the state police establishment, dealing with intelligence gathering, assessment and coordination on matters concerning internal security and law and order.
Jai Narayan Pankaj Moved to Southern Range
Jai Narayan Pankaj, who was serving as IGP, Intelligence, has been transferred and posted as IGP, Southern Range, Berhampur.
Pankaj will take charge of the Southern Range following the transfer of the incumbent, Niti Shekhar.
The move shifts Pankaj from a specialised intelligence assignment back to a key field policing role.
Niti Shekhar Posted at State Police Headquarters
Niti Shekhar, the present IGP, Southern Range, Berhampur, has been transferred to the State Police Headquarters.
He has been posted as IGP, Provisioning.
The Provisioning wing is responsible for important logistical and resource-related functions within the police organisation, making the appointment another significant administrative change in the state police hierarchy.
Charan Singh Meena Gets Northern Range
In another important change, Charan Singh Meena, who was serving as DIG, Provisioning, has been transferred and appointed DIG, Northern Range, Sambalpur.
He will take over the Northern Range following Himansu Kumar Lal’s transfer to the EOW.
The appointment places Meena in a key field policing role covering the Northern Range.
Ashish Kumar Singh Returns From Central Deputation
Ashish Kumar Singh, who recently returned to Odisha following his repatriation from central deputation, has been appointed DIG, Northern Central Range, Talcher.
Singh will also continue to hold the additional charge of Principal, Police Training College, Angul.
His appointment comes as part of the broader restructuring of senior-level responsibilities within the Odisha Police.
Full IPS Transfer List
- Himansu Kumar Lal, IPS — Transferred from IGP, Northern Range, Sambalpur and appointed IGP, Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Bhubaneswar; also given additional charge of STF.
- Satyabrat Bhoi, IPS — Transferred from IGP, Northern Central Range, Talcher and appointed IGP, Intelligence; continues to hold additional charge as Principal, Police Training College, Angul.
- Jai Narayan Pankaj, IPS — Transferred from IGP, Intelligence and posted as IGP, Southern Range, Berhampur.
- Niti Shekhar, IPS — Transferred from IGP, Southern Range, Berhampur and posted as IGP, Provisioning, State Police Headquarters.
- Charan Singh Meena, IPS — Transferred from DIG, Provisioning and appointed DIG, Northern Range, Sambalpur.
- Ashish Kumar Singh, IPS — Appointed DIG, Northern Central Range, Talcher following repatriation from central deputation; also continues as Principal, Police Training College, Angul, in additional charge.
Realignment of Key Police Responsibilities
The reshuffle represents a significant realignment of responsibilities within the Odisha Police, covering both specialised policing units and field formations.
The movement of senior officers across the EOW, STF and Intelligence wing, along with changes in the Northern, Northern Central and Southern ranges, indicates a broad restructuring of the state’s senior police leadership.
The appointment of Lal to the EOW with additional charge of the STF is particularly noteworthy given the specialised nature of the two formations. At the same time, the change in Intelligence leadership and the movement of officers into key police ranges will bring new leadership to several operational formations.
With the notification, the Odisha government has made changes across six senior IPS positions, with the new assignments taking effect immediately.
