Purnea: With crime on the rise in Seemanchal, IPS officer Shivdeep Wamanrao Lande, a 2006 batch officer, has assumed charge as Inspector General (IG) of the Purnea Range, Bihar. Known for his strong track record, Lande has hit the ground running, promising to bring crime under control and addressing key issues in the region, such as the rising use of smack, a dangerous drug that has fueled much of the criminal activity.
Upon his arrival in Purnea, Lande was welcomed with a guard of honor by a contingent of women constables, followed by a ceremonial welcome from DIG Vikas Kumar, Purnea SP Upendra Nath Verma, and Katihar SP, who greeted him with bouquets. Once in his office, Lande immediately held discussions with SPs from Purnia and Katihar to outline a strategy for tackling crime across the range.
In his first public statement after taking charge, Lande emphasized that his primary focus will be on controlling crime in the Purnea Range. “Understanding the crime pattern and controlling criminals will be my first priority,” he said. He also reassured the public that results would soon be visible in high-profile cases like the Tanishq robbery. Reflecting on his return to the region after a decade, he noted that it brought back many memories and pledged to curb crime at all costs.
Lande’s crime-fighting strategy involves a district-wise action plan, based on thorough research into the crime patterns and histories of criminals in Purnea and its surrounding areas. “We will create a special plan by studying the criminal history and working style of criminal gangs,” said Lande, emphasizing the importance of understanding the root causes and organization of criminal activities.
He also outlined a broader approach that includes tackling organized crime and brutal crimes such as heinous murders. A key part of his plan is to crack down on the rising trend of drug use, particularly smack, which he highlighted as a growing concern. “Stopping the increasing trend of smack will be a top priority because many of the recent crimes have been committed under its influence,” he stressed.
Prior to his current appointment, IPS Shivdeep Lande served as the IG of Tirhut Range, where he held office for about eight months. His tenure as SP in districts like Patna, Araria, Purnea, and Munger is well-remembered. Wherever Lande served as SP, his reputation for fearlessly tackling crime made criminals tremble.
Hailing from Paras village in Maharashtra’s Akola district, Lande’s commitment to his duty has won him respect and admiration across Bihar. His return to Purnea, where he briefly served as SP a decade ago, is seen as a significant boost to law enforcement in the region.
