M'luru cops to use CCTV footage for checking traffic violations

Police Commissioner S Murugan has said that the department has decided to collect fine from the traffic rules violators based on CCTV and surveillance camera footages on daily basis in the city.

Speaking to media persons during the monthly SC/ST grievances meeting at his office here on Sunday, Murugan said that notice would be served on motorists in case of rash driving, jumping traffic signal, riding without helmet and other kind of traffic violations and they can pay the fine at respective traffic police stations.

“To avoid parking of vehicles on footpath and by the roadside, especially in ‘no parking’ zones, around 140 wheel locks are being used. Traffic density is increasing in Hampankatta junction, Nantoor and Pumpwell Circle. Though the department is finding temporary solutions, information has been conveyed to the Highway authorities”, Murugan said.

Night patrolling is not regular because of various reasons. The police would take steps to improve the service and staff would go on night beats at least thrice in a month. The process of installation of CCTV cameras is still at the government level, he said.

Meanwhile, the police commissioner said that each station was adopting one village to build strong public relations.

Missing complaint

Lakshmi, hailing from Bagalkot was frustrated and badly needed help from Mangalore police after six months of search for her 15-year-old son Asangappa, who is lost in Port City.

Sharing her woes with the commissioner at the meeting, the distraught woman said that they had come to the city to earn bread for their son, but life had become meaningless after losing him. The family which works in Panambur station limits expressed doubts of kidnap and lodged a complaint against boy’s father-in-law Lacchappa and cousin Manju.

The Panambur police said that they have interrogated the two persons, but there was no clue of the boy.

In another case, Sadashiva of Bagalkot district who works in Kunjathabail alleged that his neighbours Bharathi Shetty and Lakshmi had filed a complaint of trespass and attempt to rape against him at Kavoor police station though he was innocent. “I was writing second PUC examination on the same day at Bagalakot and I have submitted documents to SI Umesh to prove it. Still, the police have issued summons against me,” he alleged.

Dalit leader S P Anand said that night beats were not regular in Dalit colonies. In few colonies like Monkey Stand there are problems like theft, etc, but there was night beat staff for rescue. Anand said that there was lack of hostels for SC/ST students in the city.

Chinnappa Bangera alleged that Vamanjoor junction had become an accident zone. More than 20 accidents had occurred in the place in the last one and half year.

Though there are three to four police personnel, they would be busy with mobile phones, he alleged. Meanwhile, a few Dalit leaders complained that service bus drivers were breaking traffic rules.

DCP Shantharaju said that traffic ACP would convene a meeting soon.

Answering a query, the DCP clarified that people need not come from far away places to police commissioner’s office to pay a Rs 10 challan for RTI application. It would be received in each station or provided through post. Raghuveer Sooterpete said that SC/STs were being portrayed in poor light in social media. The police should also check the paying guest accommodations in the City, who are into money making business, he said.

Girish Kumar Ullal said that Kinya village which was adopted by the police department has joined the mainstream of society and now people were confident to share their problems freely with police, he said. Traffic ACP Uday Nayak and others were present.