Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, May 10: Problems pertaining to parking and complaints about buses not halting at bus bays dominated the police phone-in programme held at police commissioner's office here on Friday May 10.
A caller from Kadri complained about bus drivers talking on the phone while driving, stressing that such behaviour was putting other commuters and pedestrians at risk. In response, police commissioner Sandeep Patil said, "Talking on phone while driving is also an offence, and if anyone is found violating the rule, we will book cases against them."
A caller from Suratkal complained about MCC garbage vehicles on the Suratkal-Kulai stretch not covering the garbage with tarpaulin during transport, causing the garbage to fall on the road.
Another caller from Subhashnagar complained that vehicles were being parked on the footpaths near Srivinivas College in Pandeshwar, and also urged the authorities to axe the branches of trees that are on verge of falling during rainy season on the Nehru Maidan stretch. Police commissioner Sandeep Patil replied, "We will ask our officers to visit Pandeshwar area and clear the footpaths. We will also ask the MCC to cut of the branches which pose danger to the pedestrians."
A caller from Kottara Chowki complained about haphazard parking that was causing traffic congestion.
Another caller from Kottara Chowki suggested to introduce paid parking facility for two-wheelers in the area to prevent haphazard parking.
Callers from Urwa market and Ladyhill complained about buses not stopping at the designated bus bay and instead stopping in the middle of the road to allow passengers to board.
A person from Bejai appreciated the police commissioner for taking action against fish trucks spilling water on the road, and said that were many more such trucks. The police commissioner replied, "We have already issued notice to the concerned to follow the NGT order as per Kerala government and given them one month's time to follow certain rules and regulations. On Thursday May 9, we seized eight trucks and today we have seized five more. This drive will continue."
As many as 27 calls were received during the phone-in programme.
DCP (law and order) Hanumantharaya, DCP (crime and traffic) Laxmi Ganesh and others were also present.
The phone-in programme is held every Friday from 10 am to 11 am, during which callers may call on 0824-2220530 or 0824-2220201 to directly express their grievances to the police commissioner.
On Gowrish Shootout
Speaking to reporters on the dramatic arrest of rowdy Gowrish, police commissioner Sandeep Patil said, "We recieved a complaint of extortion against Gowrish, alleging that as he used to call certain people and extort money from them. An FIR was registered against the same, and based on the information we tracked him down and issued an order to arrest him.
"On the night of May 9, CCB police team led an operation to arrest Gowrish, and during this operation at Jeppinamogaru he attacked one of our constables with a dagger. At that point, the police personnel fired in self-defence and arrested him.
"Gowrish is a notorious criminal involved in several rowdy activities. He is accused in the double murder case of Murugesh and Upendra in Kavoor police limits, Kumar murder case in the year 2012 in Kavoor police limits, a murder case in Ullal police limits and two 307 cases," the police commissioner said.
"Gowrish was convicted in the Kavoor murder case and awarded life imprisonment. He later appealed to the high court which brought a stay on it. Investigation is in process to track down other members of his gang," he added.