Could the gang-rape incident be prevented if there was at least a police out post?  

• Lack of security

Mangaluru: If there was a dedicated police station for Tannirbavi beach which is a tourist location, or at least a police out post here, then probably the gang-rape attempt could have been prevented, is the opinion of the localities prevalent in the region.

The gang-rape of the lady has become national news and the incident has cast a shadow of fear on tourists.

The Mangaluru police commissionerate had sent a proposal to the government on the creation of a police out post here, two year back. If the MLA’s and the district in-charge minister had applied some pressure on the government, then the proposal would have become fruitful. Then it would have been possible to put an end to such cases, it is being said.

If the people from this area have to give a complaint or if when there is an occurrence of a crime-illegal activity, then the people r the police have to go or come from the Panambur police station which is 13 kms away. As these areas are geographically islands, one has to depend on the boats to reach the location from the city. In such a case, the localities of the areas Tannirbavi, Thotabengre and Bengre have been demanding for the creation of a particular police station here since the last eight years, but to no avail.

Almost eight years back, Bengre area was within the jurisdiction of the port police which was at Bunder. After the creation of the Mangaluru Police Commissionerate, the Bunder port police was closed and the Bengre areas was transferred over into the jurisdiction of the Panambur police station. In thus backdrop, the localites had kept forth their demand on the requirement of a particular police station for the area.

Will demand for security

The local corporator Meera Karkera spoke with the “Udayavani” and said, “A few days back I had gone to Thota Bengre beach side. During that time some youths were doing substance abuse there. On giving advice they only changed the location but did not vacate. I had given in this regard to Panambur police station. I will ask for the installation of CCTV cameras here and also deployment of security forces,” said Meera Karkera, local corporator.