Conducting his first monthly meeting to hear grievances from people belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes after taking charge as the City Police Commissioner, M. Chandra Sekhar promised affirmative action on the suggestions and grievances presented at the meeting on Sunday.
The suggestions ranged from those related to traffic issues to social evils such as use of narcotics, problems the members are facing in educational institutions and many more.
Sadashiva of Urwastore and Anand Haleyangady pointed out that the temporary location of Mangaluru North Traffic Police Station at Honnakatte had been a hindrance to effective handling of cases in the jurisdiction. While Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Crime) Sanjeev M. Patil said that police from Bajpe and Moodabidri police stations attend to traffic cases in their jurisdiction and personnel from North Traffic PS attend to other areas, Mr. Sekhar said he would try to sort out the issue.
He said a centrally located place would be chosen to permanently house the North Traffic PS.
While Airport Road from KPT to Mangaluru International Airport is looked after by the North Traffic PS, the rest of the areas are looked after by Bajpe and Moodabidri police, he said.
Mr. Urwastore also demanded justice for the family of Sudesh (42), principal of D. Chennamma Pre University College, Madapura, Kodagu district, who committed suicide in Mangaluru over alleged harassment by the college management. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K.M. Shantharaju said that the Urwa police have transferred the case to Suntikoppa police station in Kodagu district after preliminary investigation as the alleged incidents took place there.
Meanwhile, activist Raghuveer Sutterpet urged the police to conduct legal awareness camps for members of Dalit communities. Citing the example of research scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad, who recently committed suicide, Mr. Sutterpet said similar kind of problems are being faced by Dalit students and teachers in Mangaluru.
Mr. Sekhar said the city police were doing its best to discharge the services despite being severely short-staffed. Out of 1,791 sanctioned posts, the force has 627 vacancies, which includes about 180 recently selected personnel were undergoing training. They would join the force only after six months.
