BHOPAL: A grand farewell parade was organized at the Motilal Nehru Police Stadium in Bhopal on the occasion of the retirement of Director General of Police (DGP) Sudhir Saxena on Friday. Prior to the parade, DGP Saxena paid floral tributes at the Martyrs’ Memorial to honor the sacrifices of fallen police officers.
The parade featured eight platoons and a police band, conducted under the leadership of Parade Commander IPS Sonakshi Saxena, DCP Intelligence Bhopal, and Parade TwoIC Assistant Commander Ravi Sharma. After inspecting the parade, DGP Saxena witnessed an impressive march past.
In his address at the farewell, Sudhir Saxena expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the police personnel, thanking them for their excellent performance. He particularly acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the ADG SAF and his team, whose efforts made the parade possible.
Saxena also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Madhya Pradesh Police, saying, “The glorious foundation of Madhya Pradesh Police has been built upon the sacrifices of these martyrs. I offer my humble salutations to their sacrifices and their noble families.”
He highlighted the historic contributions of the Madhya Pradesh Police in key national events, such as during the Indian independence movement, countering tribal attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, and in operations like Operation Polo in Hyderabad, the Goa freedom struggle, and anti-terrorism operations in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
Reflecting on his career, DGP Saxena said, “It has been a journey of challenges, difficulties, and immense learning. I feel proud and satisfied when I think about my time with Madhya Pradesh Police. Today is an emotional day as I bid farewell to this great service.” He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the farewell function and for the presence of his colleagues and peers.
Saxena further praised the efforts of the police force during his tenure, saying, “The warmth, cooperation, and respect I received from the entire police force during my nearly three years as DGP will always remain unforgettable.” He mentioned the outstanding performance of the police in maintaining law and order across the state, particularly during major events such as assembly elections, panchayat elections, and VIP visits.
DGP Saxena also noted the success of Madhya Pradesh Police in ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections, despite the challenges posed by sensitive areas like Gwalior-Chambal. He emphasized the role of police in managing religious and cultural events across the state, ensuring communal harmony, and providing foolproof security during VIP visits, including those of the Prime Minister, President, and other high-ranking officials.
Saxena took pride in the progress made in controlling crime in Madhya Pradesh. “Serious crimes, including those against women and Scheduled Castes and Tribes, have significantly decreased,” he said, “and sensational crimes have been solved with the prompt arrest of criminals.”
He also highlighted the successes in combating Naxalism, noting that the Madhya Pradesh Police had achieved unprecedented success in neutralizing Naxalites in the past few years. “The number of Naxalites killed in encounters in the last two and a half years surpasses the total number killed in the past 25 years,” he stated. He also shared that, for the first time, divisional-level Naxalites had been neutralized and AK-47s had been recovered.
Sudhir Saxena concluded by reaffirming his pride in serving the Madhya Pradesh Police, calling it the “best police force” in the country, and thanked everyone for their unwavering dedication and support throughout his tenure.
Kailash Makwana assumes charge as new director general of police in Madhya Pradesh
Kailash Makwana (IPS 1988 batch) officially took charge as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Madhya Pradesh, succeeding Sudhir Saxena in the evening. Makwana, is widely regarded as one of the sharpest officers in the state. Before his appointment as DGP, he served as the Chairman of the MP Police Housing Corporation, a role he held for several years. His career is marked by significant contributions, including his tenure as the Director General (DG) of Lokayukta, where he took strong action against corruption.
During his brief stint as DG of Lokayukta, Makwana accelerated anti-corruption investigations, reopening many pending cases. However, his tenure was cut short due to friction with the state government. Makwana’s career has seen several transfers, highlighting his versatility in various roles within the state police. In 2019, he served as the Additional Director General (ADG) of Intelligence and Administration, followed by roles as ADG of Narcotics and CID in 2020. He also served as DG of the Special Police Establishment Lokayukta before being appointed as Chairman of MP Police Housing Corporation. His anti-corruption efforts, however, led to his removal from the position and a reduction in his Confidential Character Roll (ACR), a matter that was later rectified.
