1993 batch IPS Officer, Kannadiga M.A. Saleem is new DG-IGP of Karnataka
Bengaluru, May 21: The Karnataka government on Wednesday issued orders appointing M.A. Saleem, a senior IPS officer from the 1993 batch, as the new Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG-IGP) of Karnataka. He replaces Dr. Alok Mohan, who retired from service today.
Until now, Saleem was serving as the Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
There had been speculation over who would succeed Dr. Alok Mohan, with two key contenders in the race — M.A. Saleem and Prashant Kumar Thakur, DGP of Fire and Emergency Services. Thakur, a 1992-batch officer, is senior to Saleem by one year.
Saleem will have a one-year tenure, retiring in June 2026.
A seasoned officer, Saleem is known for his strong administrative skills and has previously served in various key positions across the state, including as Bengaluru City’s Special Police Commissioner.
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Hamas alleges abuse, collective punishment at Rafah crossing, Gaza exit still remains restricted
Gaza: Hamas on Tuesday accused Israeli authorities of subjecting Palestinians returning to Gaza through the Rafah crossing to mistreatment, abuse and extortion, describing the alleged actions as collective punishment rather than routine border procedures.
In a statement, the Palestinian group claimed that testimonies from travellers pointed to practices such as the detention of women, blindfolding, prolonged interrogations, threats involving children and attempts to coerce individuals into collaboration. Hamas said these actions were intended to instil fear and discourage Palestinians from returning to their homes, and called on international human rights organisations to document the alleged violations, as reported by AL Jazeera.
The allegations come amid continued uncertainty over the functioning of the Rafah crossing, which reopened on Monday after nearly two years of closure. According to reports, around 135 Palestinians have reached the crossing seeking permission to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment, though only a small number have been allowed to exit so far.
On the first day of reopening, Israel permitted only five critically ill patients to cross into Egypt. On Tuesday, a limited number of additional patients were reportedly allowed to leave, while the return of Palestinians to Gaza has also remained slow and unclear.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has expressed concern over the lack of clarity surrounding the crossing’s operations. ICRC spokesperson Pat Griffiths said the uncertainty was compounding the suffering of Palestinians who have already endured prolonged trauma, noting that many expressed a desire to return to normal life despite understanding that recovery would take considerable time.
Journalists reporting from southern Gaza told Al Jazeera that families were anxiously waiting for relatives separated for years, with little information on who would be allowed to cross or return. Restrictions at the crossing, including limits on personal belongings and lengthy screening processes, have further added to delays.
