DK faces acute shortage of police personnel: SP

Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Dr S D Sharanappa has revealed that the police department is facing acute shortage of staff in the district. He was addressing SC/ST monthly grievances meeting at SP office here, on Sunday.

Dalit leader Shekar said that though the government declared Belthangady as naxal-affected area, there are very few police personnel, working 24X7. They are not being able to handle the work pressure and it’s affecting public. On this, the SP said:

“According to the norms, there should be 250 police personnel for one lakh people. In India, it is 113 and in DK it is just 60.

We have to increase our strength to 100 to solve this problem. A request has been sent to the government to establish a police station at Dharmasthala and a traffic police station at Bantwal,” he said.

Though physical test is over for the recruitment, the complete process would take time. However, youth are not so eager to become home guards may be because of meagre salary, he revealed. Shekar highlighted increasing crime rate in Belthangady and demanded a crime SI to the taluk.

Family out, anganwadi in!

Shekar alleged that a Koraga family is made to live in a temporary shelter at Meeyoddu of Saviya village, in Andinje panchayat of Venur, though it has a government sanctioned house, as a mini-anganwadi is being run in the house, from past four years.

The department concerned is not bothered about the issue, Shekar said and requested the SP to provide justice to the family. Responding positively, the SPdirected Venur PSI to submit a report on the same, with the help of revenue department officials, within 10 days.

Shekar expressed concern about unfilled red rock and black rock mining pits which may cause danger in the district. There are pits of 80-100 feet depth near Belalu. The police department should direct Mines and Geology department to make it mandatory to fill the pits after mining. The SP said that the Deputy Commissioner has already directed the local authorities to fill the open pits.

Atrocity in Sullia

DSS leader S P Anand was against the process of distribution of caste certificate to around 2,000-3,000 people at Sullia and Puttur taluks. They are basically from Tamil Nadu. By giving certificates to them, local SC/STs would miss the government facilities.

He also demanded that the funds of Ambedkar Abhivruddhi Nigama should be distributed both for SCs and STs as earlier, and should not be restricted for STs. He alleged that atrocity on Dalits is on raise at Sullia taluk. 

Traffic problem

Vishwanath of Bantwal, an auto driver, demanded co-operation from police to solve traffic problem in Bantwal. A meeting of public and police was convened on the issue and decisions were taken. However, the decisions are not implemented.

Police personnel are not taking action against goods vehicle owners, but they act against auto drivers. The new bus stand is not being used because of the lobby of shop keepers, he said. Shekar demanded the SP to take measures to solve traffic problems at Guruvayanakere by changing the bus stops.

Regarding atrocity against the Dalit couple Dharmesh- Shwetha of Bantwal, Vishwanath said that out of seven accused, police had arrested Krishna and Vinayak. However, his family members Shanti and Nandini are being harassed.

DySP Rashmi Paraddi, in-charge of the case said that she didn’t observe any such developments. The SP suggested the couple to give another complaint if they face further problem from the accused.

In the meeting, few SC/ST representatives expressed concern over the sale of drugs including Nitrovet (used in treating insomnia) in medical shops without doctors’ prescription. ASP Shivkumar was present.