Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Apr 3: "The attack on the deputy commissioner (DC) and the assistant commissioner (AC) during raid on illegal sand mining is a very serious issue. This should not have happened in an educated district like Udupi," said additional-director general of police (ADGP) Alok Mohan.
He was responding to a question on the attack on deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis and assistant commissioner Shilpa Nag during the raid on illegal sand mining units operating in Kundapur taluk, in a press meet here on Monday April 3.
"The DC was supposed to inform task force committee members like SP, RTO, tahsildar, ZP CEO and many more. As the DC and AC tried to do it on their own, the aggressive mob attacked them. The accused will be punished," he added.
To a question on political influence or pressure on police in the case, ADGP Mohan said, "We are government officials, but law does not differentiate on caste, community or politics."
DC Priyanka Mary Francis said, "We have learnt a lesson. Next time we will go with all precautionary measures. A meeting of the task force committee members has been called and we will take strong action. We feared that the information about the raid would be leaked through other task force members. If we had taken precautionary measures, we would have been better prepared to face the situation.
"Any task force member can register a complaint voluntarily against illegal activities without informing any other member. Action will be taken soon after the crime," she added.
Superintendent of police of Udupi district K T Balakrishna said, "We are handling the case effectively. Seven have been arrested and there are six people more who were involved in the act, according to DC."
Beat System Across the State
Addressing reporters after holding a review meeting with police officials at the SP's office here, ADGP Mohan said that the police department aims to improve and reconstruct the beat system all over the state.
"We had a review meeting on various issues and crimes committed in the district. Beat system will be implemented. Each head constable and constables will be responsible for a certain area under the system. That will improve the security system. Earlier, there were 4-5 people appointed for one beat, but the new system will have better control. One police personnel will be appointed for one beat. There will be better coordination between public and police. We want to ensure that the public is always connected to police.
"Moreover, this system will be made effective at schools and colleges in the state by holding interaction with students about narcotic activities in the campus," he informed.
"The department is more concerned about eve-teasing and there will be drop boxes at all college campuses to drop a complaint letter. A complainant need not write his name and the department will take up all necessary action. The police department will be acting tough against organised criminal and rowdy activities. They will open all rowdy sheeter files, which were not opened earlier all over the state," said ADGP Mohan.
He also informed that the department will keep an eye on all massage parlours for illegal activities. If confirmed, the license will canceled. We will the implement Goonda Act and will certainly not tolerate illegal activities like matka, ganja and gambling, he said.
Speaking on the crime figures in the district, ADGP Mohan said, "Crime figures are coming down every year. Police always address public grievances. There are lot of ways to develop good relation between public and police. But one has to put all effort."
ADGP Mohan also said that scientific ways of investigation have been increased for better investigation.
ASP Vishnuvardhan was present.