Chadalavada Umesh Chandra (Telugu

Telugu language

Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...

: చదలవాడ ఉమేశ్ చంద్ర, March 29, 1966 – September 4, 1999) was one of the most reputed Police officer

Police officer

A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...

s in the history of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...

. In his tenure as Superintendent of Police of Cuddapah district, he restored normal conditions within a short time. He was called 'Cuddapah tiger' by the people of Cuddapah.

Early life

Umesh Chandra was born on March 29, 1966 at Pedapudi

Pedapudi

Peda-pudi or Pedda-pudi is a village and a Mandal in East Godavari district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. -Geography:Peddapudi is located at . It has an average elevation of 7 meters .-Panchayats:...

, Guntur district

Guntur district

Guntur district is located in Andhra Pradesh along the east coast of Bay of Bengal. The district has a coastline of around 100 kilometers. Guntur City is the largest city in the district and administrative center of Guntur District. The district is a major center for learning.-Etymology:There are...

 of Andhra Pradesh to Chadalavada Venugopala Rao and Nayanatara. He studied at Hyderabad Public School

Hyderabad Public School

The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet or HPS, Begumpet, is a privately funded public school in Hyderabad in the state of Andhra Pradesh.Earlier known as Jagirdar College, it was established in 1923 as a school exclusively for the sons of Jagirdars and other aristrocats. It was renamed as Hyderbad...

, Begumpet. He was graduated (B.A.) from Nizam College

Nizam College

Nizam College was established in 1887 during the reign of Nawab Mir Mahaboob Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VI, in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. It is located at Basheerbagh.-History:...

 in 1987 and M.A. in Economics from Osmania University

Osmania University

Osmania University , , since 1918, is a public university located in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. It was established and named after the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan. It is one of the oldest modern universities in India. It is the first Indian University to have Urdu and...

 in 1989. He was university topper and Gold medalist in the graduate and postgraduate examinations.

Professional life

He was selected for Indian Police Service

Indian Police Service

The Indian Police Service , simply known as Indian Police or IPS, is one of the three All India Services of the Government of India...

 in 1991 and underwent training in National Police Academy

National Police Academy

The National Police Academy, in Islamabad, is a federal training centre for the senior officers of the civilian law enforcement agencies of Pakistan. The senior officers jointly form the Police Service of Pakistan , which is a civil service pay group...

, Hyderabad.

He was posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Warangal

Warangal

Warangal is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal is located northeast of the state capital of Hyderabad and is the administrative headquarters of Warangal District. This district is a combination of three cities: Warangal,...

 (Rural) between October 1992 to October 1994. He started a highly successful public awareness campaign entitled "Jana Jaagruti". He was later shifted to Pulivendula

Pulivendula

Pulivendula, also known as Pulivendla is a town, a mandal and a Municipality in YSR district, Andhra Pradesh, India.-Geography:Pulivendla is located at . It has an average elevation of 272 meters .-Major features:...

, where in he has worked between November 1, 1994 to February 2, 1995. He was very stern with the antisocial elements at the same time respecting the common man.

He was returned to Warangal as Officer on Special Duty. He continued his work in the district apprehending criminals, helping the common man, uplifting the spirits of the police force, and projecting the humane side of the police force. The attitude of the people towards the police changed markedly during his tenure in the Warangal district. He planned and executed with precision strategems for the capture of naxalites.

He was promoted to Superintendent of Police in charge of Cuddapah district between June 1995 to June 1997 and as S. P. of Karimnagar district between June 1997 to April 1998. He was promoted to A.I.G. (Welfare and Sports) worked between November 1998 to September 1999.

Warangal Posting

Umesh Chandra started his training as A.S.P in Warangal under the guidance of Mr. Gautam Sawang, the then S.P. Warangal.

Even as a trainee, he planned and participated in several operations againsts the naxalites. He was involved in several exchanges of gunfire with many naxalite "dalams". He apprehended and successfully converted several violent and hard-core naxalites.

As a result of his actions, he gained admiration and loyalty of his subordinates during this training period. This converted later to adoration and affection. He took great care of all his police subordinates.

After training, he was posted back in Warangal district as A.S.P. rural. He continued his war on the naxalite gangs with daring and panache. The highly successful public awareness campaign entitled "Jana Jaagruti", to counter the naxal propaganda was Umesh Chandra's brainchild. This innovative project immensely helped the police in educating the common folk, and gaining their trust. The people no longer looked upon the police as hindrances, but as partners in the betterment of society.

This project aroused patriotic feelings among the police and built great self-confidence amongst them. As a result they became a very efficient force, yet were humane in their dealings with the people.

Cuddapah Posting

Before returning to Cuddapah as Superintendent of Police, Umesh Chandra had a brief stint as A.S.P Pulivendala from November 1, 1994 to February 2, 1995. Pulivendala region was a violent and faction-ridden area. Recognizing Umesh Chandra's qualities and capabilities, the government chose him to bring order to this chaotic region.

This region was rife with gambling centers actively supported by various corrupt and vested interests. Within days of taking charge, Umesh Chandra raided several gambling centers and arrested many prominent citizens, including doctors, lawyers and politicians. This move led to protests from leaders belonging to all major political parties.

Karimnagar Posting

Umesh Chandra served in Karimnagar from June 1997 to April 1998. This district had the most number of active naxalite gangs. Normal life was but a dream. Corrupt and vested interests worked hand-in-glove with the naxalites in exploiting the hard-working, honest and law-abiding citizens of this district.

On the naxalite front Umesh Chandra started planning and executing covert operations with meticulous detail. He put together a close well-knit group of officers and constables that he could trust to get the job done. His reputation of a fair, yet strict administrator helped convince several naxalites to surrender.

Hyderabad Posting

Umesh Chandra started his next assignment in November 1998 after being unjustly suspended for the maximum possible period of six months. Umesh Chandra took over the post of A.I.G Sports and Welfare. For someone who was accustomed to dealing with and solving peoples problems on an continuous basis, this assignment was found to be insipid and dull by Umesh Chandra. He was kept idle, no work was assigned to him, no files were sent to him. This attitude of his senior police officials caused Umesh Chandra great mental agony. He contemplated resigning from the police force on several occasions.

When the additional charge of computer center management was entrusted to Umesh Chandra, he regained some of his enthusiasm and brought up a fully functional networked computer center in a short span of three months. He surprised the top police brass by making everything ready in a record time, just in time for the elections. He initiated and directed the development of a website and associated software that managed police logistics for the then elections. He also took care of the staff in the computer center by providing them with a state-of-the-art kitchen and dining hall.

Death

Umesh Chandra was assassinated on September 4, 1999 when his car stopped at a traffic light. Four naxalite

Naxalite

The word Naxal, Naxalite or Naksalvadi is a generic term used to refer to various militant Communist groups operating in different parts of India under different organizational envelopes...

s opened fire on him, his driver and his gunman. His driver and gunman were shot at point blank range and died instantly. On that day he did not carry his weapon. While chasing a couple of the naxalites, the naxalites sensed that he did not carry a weapon and turned back and fired at him twice. He collapsed on the road, at which point they shot him point blank.

His statue was unveiled on September 4, 2000 at Sanjiva Reddy Nagar Cross Roads, Hyderabad.