Mangaluru: R. Hithendra, who has been posted as Inspector-General of Police (Police Headquarters), Bengaluru, is set to be replaced by S. Murugan IPS. The State government has also transferred Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K.V. Jagadeesh, who in turn will be replaced by K. Santosh Babu.

Mr. Murugan, is a 1997 batch IPS officer, and was the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Karnataka State Industrial Security Force before his transfer to Mangaluru. He was also holding additional charge of Commander of Anti Naxal Force. 

Mr. Murugan earlier served as Superintendent of Police in Mysuru and Shivamogga. He is the distinguished recepient of the the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service.

Mr. Hithendra claimed that action by police to quickly arrest people following communal clashes in Ullal and Ulaibettu reported during his tenure helped in preventing escalation of tension, however he regretted that despite his best efforts, he could not e could not get government approval to fill vacant police constable posts.