Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Nov 28: City police commissioner R Hitendra on Thursday November 27 said that communal differences still persist in the city and underworld activities too are very much prevalent.

Addressing an interactive session at the meeting hall of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here on Thursday November 27, Hitendra said, "Underworld elements are hiding in places like Dubai and Mumbai.

"Ninety percent of the underworld threat calls are fake, only 10 percent may be real, and they are done through the internet. They usually target real estate businessmen and builders. Sometimes, the builders use underworld elements to get their job done, which has to stop. Some people use the names of underworld dons to threaten businessmen," he explained.

"Already 27 underworld elements have been arrested, while others are absconding. A lot of work is still to be done," he added.

With regard to communal unrest, he said it happens only for two reasons - cattle trafficking or cattle theft, and elopement of girl and boy belonging to different communities.

Lamenting that the image of the city has taken a beating over the last few years, he said, "The city has become infamous for bad happenings. When people think of this city, they only think of bad incidents. There are a lot of good things also happening. There is no short term solution, every citizen should contribute to improve the image of the city."

On the increasing volume of traffic in the city, he said, "Compared to 2010, the vehicles have doubled now, and in turn, the traffic has also doubled. But when roads are not widened accordingly, bottlenecks appear. Unless the roads are widened, the situation will continue to be the same."

During the interactive session, a person in the audience questioned the police commissioner about the repeated incidents of moral policing in the city, to which Hitendra replied, "I do not want to call it 'moral' policing. It is goondaism. Don't call it 'moral'. The police department has already taken the initiative to book them under various acts and open rowdy sheets. Police vigilance has also been stepped up.

"This problem will continue until the manufactory factory is stopped. This can only be done through awareness. It is happening because of intolerance," he added.

Another member of the audience suggested that peace meetings should be held every six months. The commissioner agreed with the suggestion, and remarked, "Mischief mongers do not come for the meeting!"

H R Alva, who was among the audience, raised concerns over defamatory and objectionable posts in Facebook and other social media, to which Hitendra replied, "In such cases the accused can be identified if his data is available in the server. But if he deletes the post immediately and the server fails to retain the required information, it is tough to take action."

Concerns were also raised over drug menace in the city, and ganja coming into the city from Kasargod and other places in Kerala and being circulated in areas like Bunder. Action was also urged for tightening night police vigil to prevent thefts.

A girl student pointed out that Ullal was prone to lot of communal violence, and now and then she or her friends would get SMS asking them to come home from college because there would be a rumour about violence. Hitendra replied, "Whenever you get such a message, just question the person who sent it and the rumour will stop, or check with the police control room to confirm."

Rammohan Maroor presented the introductory address.

KCCI president Nigam Vasani and others were present.