In the wake of ongoing mosque disputes, Sarita Dobhal has taken charge as the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Uttarkashi, succeeding SP Amit Srivastava, who was recently transferred. She becomes the 19th SP of Uttarkashi since the formation of the state and assumes this crucial position amidst heightened tensions over the mosque controversy, which has persisted for four months. A 2005-batch officer of the Provincial Police Service, Dobhal has previously served in key roles, including SP Rural in Dehradun and Haridwar. Prior to her Uttarkashi posting, she was SP Railways.
Second Female SP in Uttarkashi
Dobhal is the second female SP appointed in Uttarkashi after state formation. The first was IPS Tanuja Srivastava, who served from 1995 to 1998 during undivided Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, in 2016, Vimla Gunjyal briefly held the position as a stopgap arrangement.
With her new role, Dobhal faces the immediate challenge of maintaining law and order amidst the mosque dispute, as various organizations have announced a Mahapanchayat on December 1. Addressing drug trafficking in the district will also be a priority under her leadership.
Farewell to SP Amit Srivastava
Outgoing SP Amit Srivastava was given a heartfelt farewell at the Police Line in Gyansoo, where officers and personnel reflected on his contributions. Speaking at the ceremony, SP Srivastava lauded the dedication of the Uttarkashi Police team and urged them to continue prioritizing support for vulnerable members of society.
