These are just some of the questions that were shot at Additional Superintendent of Police Ramesh by college students, which left him gasping for breath. The programme was ‘Crime prevention month’ organised by Barke Police Station on Saturday at Devadiga Community Hall. The venue was jam packed by students from Canara College and Gokarnatheshwara College. After the formal stage programme, Ramesh declared the floor open for questions. While students hesitated a bit initially to ask questions, they just needed a push and as one student started, several came up to the stage and asked their questions. Students spoke eloquently about their own experiences with the police and about their doubts, without any ‘fear of the Khaki’ and inhibitions.

As and when Ramesh tried answering them about how police have to work within democratic framework and what exactly the law says, many students argued, disagreeing to what ASP had to say.

Addressing the gathering earlier, Ramesh urged the public to co-operate with the police and give out vital information in case of crime in their vicinity. “Offender always leaves behind clues at the scene of crime. People should hence not destroy the clues by meddling at the scene of crime,” he said and added that general public need not fear that their identity will be revealed in case they inform police about some crime.

Mangalore Sub Division ASP Amit Singh said that students should have adequate information about law and functioning of the police and they should take up the challenge of controlling crime by being alert and aware. Barke Station Police Inspector Vinay Gaonkar, Sub Inspector Rekha and others were present.