Mangalore: Somasekhar report on church attacks to be discussed in Assembly - K J George
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (BG)
Mangalore, Jun 19: "The Somasekhar report on the church attacks in 2008 was not officially tabled in the state Assembly but only submitted to the cabinet and the inquiruy team, and circulated unofficially. The report will be discussed in the next Assembly session," said home minister K J George.
He was addressing a press meet here on Wednesday June 19.
On the sexual harassment case against ACP Jagannath, K J George said that the decision on his transfer has to be taken by the police establishment board. "An inquiry team has already been set up. Once the report is submitted, appropriate decision will be taken and accused will be punished if found guilty," he said.
"A special state-level team comprising former judges and ex-officials will be formed to deal with and probe sexual harrasment cases," he added.
"Higher grade policemen with more than 30 years of service in department will be given promotion. For the lower grade policemen, certain guidelines will be chalked out after discussion with higher officials in the coming days," he said.
On the shortage of police personnel in the state, he said, "19,000 police posts have been lying vacant from the last three years. They will be filled up stage by stage. The quota for women in the police department will be increased to 20 percent from 10 percent."
He added, "There is a requirement of 35,000 police quarters in the state. There are plans to build 4,000-5,000 quarters and the same has been discussed with the chief minister also. I will also visit the existing quarters and check their condition, and have them rebuilt if necessary.
"A housing loan scheme will be introduced for police personnel who want to have their own house. Also, school facilities, special skill development programmes and other welfare schemes will be made available for children of police personnel," he added.
He also said that the present Mangalore city police commissionerate will be given magistrate powers soon.
"Modernization of weapons, upgrading of CCTV cameras and other infrastucture changes will be done at the earliest," the minister said.
On the recent case of assault on two policemen in the city, he said the matter will be taken seriously and the accused will be punished.
Referring to complaints by people facing problems during passport verification, he said he will direct the officials to take appropriate steps. "Strict action will be taken against police personnel who demand or accept bribes for any work," he warned.
"Special drives to curb drug mafia especially in pubs and other places will be discussed soon. Special training programmes will be introduced for Anti-Terrorism Squad and Anti-Naxal Force. Both ANF and ATS will function under Anti-Terrorist Cell," he said.
On the occasion, the district Working Journalists' Union (DKWJU) submitted a memorandum to K J George urging withdrawal of all cases against reporters in the Padil home stay case.
Police commissioner Manish Karbikar, SP Abhishek Goyal, IGP (western range) Pratap Reddy were present.