Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa’s Director General of Police Pranab Nanda died of a massive cardiac arrest in the early hours of Saturday. Nanda was in Delhi after attending a series of functions and meetings on various police and welfare-related issues in the State.
Inspector General of Police Jaspal Singh confirmed the news, stating, “It is shocking.” Goa Police was informed about Nanda’s demise by his wife Sundari Nanda, also an IPS Officer, at around 1 am.
In a message, Governor Satya Pal Malik expressed his condolence to the grieving family, stating, “I am extremely shocked to hear about the untimely demise of DGP Nanda. He was an outstanding officer and a very good human being.”
He added, “Ever smiling, Nanda was a warm and affable person. He was reform oriented and his contributions in the field of policing will be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with the family members of the departed soul. May God bestow on them strength and fortitude to bear with the tragic loss.”
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in his message, also expressed shock stating, “He was healthy. We met two days ago for a function, and I also spoke to him over the phone last night when he left for Delhi. I had called him regarding some work and since he was travelling he asked me to speak to IGP.”
Singh said, “A very dynamic, cheerful and no nonsense officer, he was welfare oriented and till the last he was vigourously pursuing the matter of promotion of all ranks. He was an institution builder also.”
He added, “He was instrumental in inducting all-terrain vehicles for beach patrolling. A perfect combination of task structured and welfare oriented leader. Goa Police has lost an able and effective leader of the force. I had the opportunity to work with him earlier in IB. He had a penchant for detail and was a very meticulous man with varied interests.”
A day before leaving for Delhi on Thursday, Nanda had launched a mobile app for women and children wherein he had also called for co-operation from all educational institutions to install close circuit television cameras (CCTVs) on their premises to strengthen security.
Nanda’s body has been kept at AIIMS and the final rites will be held at the Electric Crematorium Ground, Delhi at 10.30 am on Sunday.
Sawant said that Chief Secretary Parimal Rai will attend the funeral on behalf of the State, in addition to several police officers from Goa Police. “We will also take help of Delhi police to form a guard of honour,” Sawant added.
The IPS Association also paid condolences, as messages began pouring in since the announcement of his death.
