Aneesh Sarkar IPS (Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar Zone) began his police career as a probationer in the Maoist hotspot of Lalgarh, Paschim Medinipur, before being assigned to anti-Maoist operations. After nearly three years, he was assigned to the newly established Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate as Assistant Commissioner of Police (Airport), where he played a key role in the abolition of the infamous Babai gang, which had planned several killings in the city. He and his colleagues had detained the leader of the Jamiat ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which was implicated in the Bardhaman blast case, while serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police, Anti Terrorist Squad, Bidhannagar.

After that, in his capacity as Deputy Superintendent of Police, CID, he helped apprehend the primary suspect and other defendants in the high-profile Ranaghat rape case that was making news at the time. He had penetrated the computer networks of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) when he was in the CID, following the CID’s capture of an ISIS terrorist. That made it easier to comprehend how that banned terror group carried out its violent acts.

After that, he was assigned to the position of Additional Superintendent of Police, Murshidabad, where he spent a considerable amount of time handling the tragic Daulatabad bus accident, which claimed 42 lives and caused a wave of extreme violence. Despite his injuries, he was commended by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal for his efforts to control the violence. Additionally, he successfully controlled the violence in his area following the NRC agitation. After that, he served as Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural), in Malda, where he made numerous arrests and recovered drugs while battling the Kaliachak drug gangs.

The significant recovery and seizure of around Rs. 1.4 crore in drug money from a home in Gazole, Malda, marked the continuation of the fight against drug trafficking as Special Superintendent of Police, CID, (Malda) zone. Additionally, he was given responsibility for Murshidabad’s livestock smuggling cases, and despite numerous obstacles, he was able to freeze the majority of the Indian assets of the principal smugglers who had fled the country years earlier after operating the smuggling network at its height. Since February 2024, he has been back on the city policing scene as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Bidhannagar zone), which has required him to handle many challenging situations.

Aneesh Sarkar is now making his debut as an author. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with Mr. Sarkar about his debut novel. Excerpts.

What motivated you to write a novel?

Aneesh Sarkar-It was a fascinating story. From the rise of the movement to its peak and then its end. That apart, though a lot had been written about it, as an eyewitness to many of the events, I thought it appropriate to pen down this book.

Has your experiences as deputy commissioner helped you to write the novel?

 Aneesh Sarkar- Not as deputy commissioner, but as a DSP who was posted there at that time.

Despite your busy schedule, how did you manage the time to write the novel?

Aneesh Sarkar- If there’s a will, there’s a way. But it did take 4 long years to write because finding time is a challenge. I tried to utilize whatever time I could get. Writing in the evenings, on holidays, sometimes late at night or early morning. I would try to manage some time out to write.

What is the story of this novel?

Aneesh Sarkar- It traces the life of a police officer and three rebels (involving a love triangle) in the backdrop of the Maoist movement in Lalgarh from 2008 to 2011 and how they influence the sequence of events and are themselves influenced by them.

Did you face any challenges while writing the book?

Aneesh Sarkar- The only challenge was time. My family and friends were concerned I would never finish the book.

Who is your favorite author?

Aneesh Sarkar- Ved Vyasa

What genre do you like to read as a reader?

Aneesh Sarkar- I like to read political thrillers.

When do you plan to release the book? Will it be available at the upcoming Kolkata Book Fair?

Aneesh Sarkar- I am in talks with publishing houses. Let’s see how things go. As for the book fair, I guess it will hopefully be available if the book is published by then.

We wish Mr. Sarkar all the best for his debut book.