Mumbai, Oct 31: Maharashtra government today appointed Surendra Mohan Shangari as the new Director General of Police of the state. Shangari succeeds Om Prakash Bali, who retires today after a stint of four-months as state police chief.

An announcement to this effect was made jointly by Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal at Sahyadri Guest House here. Shangari, who was heading the civil defence wing, is a 1968 batch-officer. DGP (anti corruption bureau), A K Agrawal, who is also of the same IPS batch was in the race of state police chief.

Shangari would also have a brief stint of ten months at the post as he retires in August, 2004.

Traditionally, the state government was announcing the name of new DGP much before the predecessor's retirement. But this time the government has announced the appointment of the new police chief at the last moment. Bureau Report