Chadalavada Umesh Chandra
Chadalavada Umesh Chandra (Telugu: చదలవాడ ఉమేశ్ చంద్ర) was one of the most reputed Police officer in the history of Andhra Pradesh. In his tenure as Superintendent of Police of Cuddapah district, he restored normal conditions within short time, with his extraordinary abilities. He was called 'Cuddapah tiger' by the people of Cuddapah.
Early life
He was born on March 29, 1966 at Pedapudi, Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh to Chadalavada Venugopala Rao and Nayanatara. He studied at Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet. He was graduated (B.A.) from Nizam College in 1987 and M.A. in Economics from Osmania University in 1989. He was university topper and Gold medalist in the graduate and postgraduate examinations.
Professional life
He was selected for Indian Police Service in 1991 and underwent training in National Police Academy, Hyderabad.
He was posted as Assistant Superintendent of Police in 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, 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.
The Tragedy
Umesh Chandra was assassinated on September 4, 1999 when he stopped at a traffic light. Four naxalites opened fire on him, his driver and his gunman. His driver and gunman were killed immediately as they were shot at point blank range. Incidentally, on that particular 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 has 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.