Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 12: Police commissioner N Shashikumar addressed a number of issues speaking at 'Meet the Press' programme at press club here on Tuesday January 12.

He said, “Mangaluru faces traffic issues which I will also consider as a priority along with making police stations people-friendly. Drug menace is rampant in this region. If a youth indulges in drugs, his whole life will be spoiled. We are seriously looking to curb down drug menace.

“People here go for walks in the mornings and evenings and also take part in religious events late night along with families. Meanwhile, there is a particular group of people who try to create nuisance in public. We are looking to address this issue and also other illegal activities taking place in the region. Recently, we have paraded 140 drug offenders in which 70 are habitual offenders. The parade was not to humiliate them. There were a few who were willing to transform themselves and come back to normal life.

“Objections were raised against 'Operation Suraksha', where police combed major beaches. But consuming alcohol and ganja creating nuisance at the beaches, and open places like Nehru Maidan and railway tracks after 10 pm is wrong. We will take action against those who create nuisance. We will also not spare those anti-social elements who attack police personnel. We can tell those people who criticise 'Operation Suraksha' that we cannot stop it as it is undertaken with a good objective.

“During the operation, we had taken 75 people into custody who were consuming alcohol, ganja, playing loud music in dark spots, beaches and open places after 10 pm. At Someshwara beach itself, more than 20 people were consuming alcohol in the night.

“Destitute sleeping at railway stations were not troubled. Is it right to consume alcohol and ganja on the railway tracks? During the operation, no one was mocked or beaten. The operation is being held for public safety and also to maintain law and order.

“I also urge police personnel not to stop vehicles unnecessarily to check documents where there is smooth flow of traffic as riders, drivers and police will be at risk. If visible violators are found, they should be stopped and action should be taken,” he said.

When asked about vehicles being towed, the police commissioner said, “I will try to collect a clear picture of towing vehicles and see that public will not be troubled it. I have also held discussion over parking spaces in the city with Mangaluru City Corporation commissioner Akshy Sridhar. We both will try and solve the issue.

“Keeping their personal lives aside, police personnel work day and night to maintain law and order. I urge the public to cooperate with the police and treat them as your own people,” he said.