an interview with Shakeel akthar Ips 1. Why a career in IPS? Is it because there weren’t much options in other professions during that time? It was basically for two reasons, I chose this profession, One is because through this profession I can do ‘SERVICE TO HUMANITY’ and the other reason is ‘To wipe away the tears of the Public’ In my 21 years of service – I wiped away many persons ‘tears’. 2. Tell us something about your school and college life? Any unforgettable memories? I basically hailed from a remote village named “Belhi” and the only child of my parents but I was brought up in a joint family. I was always the class topper from 5th Standard and so I was awarded with Scholarship and from 8th Standard I continued my education at a ‘District School’, where I was also awarded with a (National Rural Scholarship) and the school was 14-15 kms away from home, I used to enjoy going to School. At school, I was the class monitor & the school captain. too. During my college days which happens to be a “Science” college at ‘Patna’, I received Scholarship for ISC and I did my Honours in Physics and I was also the Perfect in the Hostel. Well, the Last but not the least was my career in “IPS”, I went through rigrous training but at one point of time, you get used to the regime and become more flexible as “FIT AS A FIDDLE”… 3.What was your greatest challenge in your career? When I was DC of Crime in Madurai, there was open gun-fire during a terrorist attack, I was heading the investigation, I was under a mission
where there were many challenging situations since I had to face many ISI trained men in 2002, after six months of ransacking the whole territory, the man Immam Ali was hunted down in Bangalore… But those six months of planning, execution were cherished memories of mine because I was always working hard towards my Goal. 4. How is crime controlled in Chennai? According to latest Statistics 28.3% Decline in Crime? What are the action plans the Chennai police has taken to control crime like theft, chain snatching, automobile theft and other property disputes? Last year a Girl from Calcutta came down to study in MOP Vaishnav College, when I happen to meet the girl, she mentioned that “Chennai is the most safest place to stay”. I was really impressed by that answer, this shows Chennai is still a safe place to stay. Well Crime & Soceity goes hand in hand, there are many preventive actions & investigations are taken to control crime in the state and tremendous “ground work is done” like the Patrol vehicle which goes in rounds to small streets where the gangsters are monitored and Chennai police is constantly vigilant and active to see that Chennaites are in safe environment. According to “National Crime Record Bureau” – Chennai is the safest place to live. 5.When you heard the death of Ashok Kamate (IPS) died in a Bomb Blast, What was the first thought that came upto your mind? Any memories in particular? Ten days before the incident, I happen to be in Mumbai along with Ashok
At school, I was the class monitor & the school captain. too
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