SP phone-in programme: Complaints on illegal liquor sale, autos overcharging

Udupi: Complaints regarding gambling, illegal liquor sale, unauthorized bus stops, and parking problems in the city dominated the weekly phone in programme, held by the district superintendent of police (SP) Nisha James, held at the district police headquarters here on Friday August 2.

Some callers also complained regarding the problem of secluded, improperly lighted areas in the city turning into dens of criminal activities. Issue was also raised regarding drunkards, indecent couples and other people causing nuisance at the Bhujanga park here.

Responding to the complaints, SP Nisha James assured to arrange for a special beat at the Ajjarkad park area for 2-3 times a day and said that acting on the suggestion put forth by the general public, her department will think of installing CCTV cameras there.

Replying to the issue on some pf the humps in the city not being highlighted properly, the SP said that her department will think of painting the humps.

Responding to the issue of inordinate delay in receipt of report from the forensic science laboratory in connection to the forgery case reported from a warehouse at Jadkal near Kollur in 2017, the SP explained that there is only one forensic science laboratory in the state catering to forgery cases at Bengaluru and hence the report is getting delayed.

A caller demanded for the construction of a bus stop between Lakshmindra Nagar and Syndicate Circle and also informed that there is no drainage or footpath at this stretch. Answering to the demand, the SP explained that currently construction of national highway was underway at the place and assured to take up the issue with the regional transport office once the construction is completed.

Responding to complaints from some callers regarding stone crushers operating illegally at Gangolli, Hebri and other areas the SP said that the department will look into the matter and initiate necessary action against the guilty.

A caller form Kolagiri complained about supplying liquor in restaurants illegally while another caller from Manipal complained that bars in there were opening early in the morning.

Meanwhile a person complained about excessive fare being collected by auto drivers from the gullible passengers and pointed out that many of the auto rickshaws do not even have meters.

In response the SP noted that auto drivers should charge applicable rates and said that the police will conduct a special drive against overcharging auto rickshaws.

A few callers expressed displeasure at parking problems created by the side of vehicles by the side of the highway at Brahmavar, Kota near Viveka School and Ajjarkad to which the SP instructed the concerned to keep watch on these things by beefing up beat system for a week.

SP James noted that simply forwarding misleading message through WhatsApp groups can give rise to serious problems, as they might give rise to a sense of fear among the people, therefore she asked the people to convey information about such messages to her department first to get the matter resolved.

“We have given soft skill training to 120 receptionists and beat police in the district to build friendly relationship with the general public,” she informed.

Speaking after the phone-in programme the SP informed that seven cases pertaining to Matka business were registered during the last one week, and eight persons were arrested. Four gambling cases were registered and 27 persons were arrested. One excise rules violation case was registered and a person was arrested. As many as 33 people were arrested in an NDPS case.

A total of 316 cases were registered under COTPA, 45 for drunken driving, 517 for shrill horns, 20 cases for using mobiles while riding/driving, 2445 cases for riding without helmets, 40 cases for over-speeding, 7,188 cases for other IMVs and total 10,225 cases for other kinds of violation of Motor Vehicles Act, she informed.