The Karnataka government on Tuesday appointed Indian Police Service officer Neelamani N Raju as the state’s director general and inspector general of police. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated Raju for becoming the first female DIG-IGP of the state.

Raju, a 1983 batch IPS officer from Uttarakhand, will take over from Rupak Kumar Dutta. Three officers were in contention for the post – Raju, DGP of the Crime Investigation Department HC Kishore Chandra and DGP of Anti Corruption Bureau MN Reddi, The Hindu reported.

“I think it is a great responsibility and honour to be selected for this post,” Raju said, according to the Hindustan Times. “Karnataka is a well-managed state and has a good police organisation.”

Asked about the Karnataka government planning to celebrate Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan’s birth anniversary on November 10, Raju said it was a big challenge but “plans are afoot to ensure that it is conducted peacefully”.