Bhopal, May 19: Betel-leaf crop spread across 10 acres were gutted in a fire near Satna district's Maihar area, police said today.

Tehsildar SN Mishra said preliminary assessment estimated the loss at Rs 12 lakh and the inferno affected more than 30 farmers.

The fire which broke out last evening was controlled within four hours. The cause of the blaze was yet not known, police added.

Raut takes charge as DGP

By Our Staff Reporter

Bhopal, May 19: The newly appointed Director General of Police (DGP) SK Raut, a 1974 batch IPS officer, on Monday took the charge of his new assignment from the outgoing DGP AR Pawar at the Police Headquarters. Pawar has been posted as Director General of Jail. Earlier, Raut handed over the charge of Director General of State Bureau of Investigation of Economic Offences to Additional Director General of Police SS Lal.

While addressing the gathering of officers and employees, Raut hoped that everyone would extend full co-operation in discharging his duty. He laid emphasis on closer relations between police and public.

The outgoing DGP AR Pawar, while thanking all for extending co-operation to him during his one and half year stint, hoped that under the leadership of Raut, Madhya Pradesh Police force would scale new heights of success and would prove true to the expectations of the people.

Before assuming the office Raut was given a guard of honour. Later a guard of honour was given to the outgoing DGP Pawar also.

SK Raut was born in Jajpur district of Orissa on February 8, 1952. After joining Indian Police Service in 1974 he had stints as Superintendent of Police and Commandant of First Battalion of SAF at Indore, Ratlam, Shivpuri and Rajgarh. After his promotion as DIG, he remained Deputy Director of National Police Academy, Hyderabad. He was Joint Director of CBI from 1996 to 2001 and after returning from deputation, he was posted as IG Law and Order and Security. On being promoted to the post of Additional Director General of Police, he was made in charge of CID branch. In 2007 he was promoted as Director General of State Bureau of Investigation of Economic Offences.