Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (VM)
Bhatkal, Mar 7: The inspector general of police (western range), Pratap Reddy, visited Bhatkal town recently to attend a meeting at Hafizka Hall of Bhatkal Urban Bank. The public were provided with a chance to put forward their problems during the meeting.
Speaking to mediapersons, Pratap Reddy appealed to the people of Bhatkal, especially Muslims not to pay any extra amount to the police in the name of passport enquiry.
He said that he was aware of Bhatkal police taking Rs 300- 500 for passport enquiry and threatening to not forward their passports if the amount was not paid.
The IGP said that there was no need to pay any amount other than what was paid at the time of passport application. He said passport file should be forwarded within 30 days failing which proceedings may be carried out against them.
Reddy urged the public to approach the district SP and complain against erring and corrupt policemen without any fear or problem.
"The highest number of passport applications in Uttar Kannada district were received from Bhatkal. Around 7000 applications are received every year from the area," he said.
On a request for female police officers to be deployed for passport inquiry for women in Bhatkal, he said that women officers were less in the department and people need to co-operate with the police in this matter.
He also said that he was aware of Bhatkal police asking various types of documents from people at the time of inquiry. He said that there is no need to submit any documents other than those mentioned in the official website of the Indian government. He ordered the dist SP Balakrishna who was present on the occassion to put up a notice in Bhatkal police station informing people not to bring any extra documents.
The IGP has appealed to the public to have faith in police if the situation demands and give them time to solve the cases. He said that police find it difficult to carry on their duty without public co-operation, therefore, people should co-operate with the police and trust them, he added.
He said that the misuse of mobile phones, internet and cyber crimes are on rise in Bhatkal and other areas.
The IGP said that young girls should be careful regarding chatting with strangers, and cited an example of a 14-year-old girl who ran away with a married man, after falling in love with him through online chatting. But the case was made out to a case of kidnapping. "Such kinds of incidents take place due to the wrong use of mobile phones and internet," he said, and urged the parents to keep a watchful eye on their children.
Parvez Kashimji, president of Majlis Islah-o-Tanzeem welcomed the new IGP to Bhatkal and spoke on behalf of the local public. Shridhar Naik, Satish Naik, Muhammed Meeran Siddiqua of Rabita Society, TMC President Inayatullah Shabandari and others also spoke on the occasion.
Bhatkal assistant commissioner Ashok Naik, tahsildar Dr Madhu Keshwar and chief officer K Anupama were also present. DSP M Narayan welcomed the gathering and CPI Shiv Prakash delivered the vote of thanks.