Having two separate police Commissionerates is not the only distinction the over four-centuries-old Hyderabad has. From June 2, it is going to be the common capital for 10 years for the two States of Telangana and residuary Andhra Pradesh.
With two Chief Ministers, along with their respective Council of Ministers, and two Governments operating within a few kilometres of radius, protection of VVIPs surely would be a challenge. In this VVIP-centric policing, it is a moot point to wonder what’s in store for the common man in terms of safety, security and smoother journey on road points of view.
Already, there are complaints galore about inadequate policing and improper traffic management in the capital. A few days ago, family members of an old woman, who was relieved of her gold jewellery by a gang masquerading as policemen at Rajendranagar of Cyberabad, went to Gopalapuram police in Hyderabad on learning that a similar offence was reported there.
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They were taken aback when the Gopalapuram police told them that they weren’t aware of the attention diversion offence committed at Rajendranagar though the modus operandi was the same for both the crimes. Police are bound to keep tabs on offences like thefts by distracting concentration of people, because possibility of their recurrence is more.
“If the Hyderabad policemen are unaware of the happening in the neighbouring police station, how can offences be checked,” wonders Sridhar of Ameerpet.
In fact, that explains how some chain snatchers strike twice or thrice within a couple of hours in neighbouring police stations of the two Commissionerates and manage to escape. Within the same Commissionerate also, there are lacunae, and instances of abandoned vehicles are classic examples.
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While clearing heaps of unclaimed vehicles lying with them at Goshamahal Police Stadium, letters were sent to all police stations in Hyderabad giving registration and chassis numbers of the vehicles. Surprisingly, it was found that some vehicles stolen from one police station in Hyderabad were abandoned in the adjacent police station areas. They lay unclaimed for years and became scrap since the staff of two police stations never bothered to cross check details of abandoned vehicles! Mismatch of focus on different aspects of traffic rule enforcement in the two Commissionerates is peculiar. While Hyderabad traffic police attempt now and then to rein in auto-rickshaw drivers not using fare meters, thousands of three-wheelers ply on Cyberabad roads freely. For reasons best known to them, the Cyberabad traffic police turn a blind eye to this.
“Harassment of common man in the name of enforcement of traffic rules, not responding to complaints at police stations unless approaching them through someone influential is quite common in all police stations. Will this change?” wonders Jeevan from Malkajgiri.