H.T. Sangliana, 67, is an inspiration for north-eastern youth

NEW DELHI - H.T. Sangliana, who has been a civil servant and social worker, is today an inspiration for youngsters, especially of the northeast.

Born in Aizwal, he has been popularly known as the ’super cop’ due to his outstanding performance and strict policing in his career.

While serving in the Indian Police Service from 1967 to 2003 in the Karnataka Cadre, Sangliana had the opportunity to handle many important assignments, including being head of the Special Task Force to catch sandalwood brigand Veerappan and arrest of Fake Stamp Paper King Pin Abdul Kareem Telgi in 2001.

Sangliana, however, went on to be known as a ‘man of the masses’. After retiring as the Director General of Police from Karnataka, he was elected to the 14th Lok Sabha in 2004 from Bangalore north.

At 67, Sangliana today continues to serve the society. He is presently working as the Vice Chairperson of National Commission for Minorities

He says, “It was the goodness of the people of Karnataka who returned for the services I did to them when I needed it the most. They elected me to Lok Sabha and it was a good example of what an Indian can achieve irrespective of caste, creed or religion.”

Sangliana tells even though he hailed from the northeast, he felt at home wherever he was posted in his long career.

He rather says there is respect for those from the north-eastern region, across the country.

“As a result of efforts by NGOs and individuals, changes are taking place. The northeastern people are also equally Indian as anyone else. And people in the mainland are recognizing their roots and cultural values,” he says.

Sangliana believes that the north-east has abundant talent and the vast human resource can be tapped by the private and public sector there.

“Openings in private and public sectors should be made known to them. And the time frame for travelling from rural area to metropolitan centres should be considered. If the recruitment agencies go there and recruit they can find a lot of talent there in the north-east,” says Sangliana.

Sangliana today is a role model not just for north-east region of the country but people from across India. By Devesh Gupta (ANI)