High Grounds cops get a roof, at last

Although only for now...

The High Grounds police station is one of the oldest police station buildings in the city. Witness to several historic events, including the arrest of senior BJP leader L K Advani during the Emergency, the building became a part of history when the Bellary Road that led to the new international airport was widened.

The building was razed, but the police were given no alternative workplace. For want of space in the vicinity, the staff had to take shelter in a tent and make-shift tin sheds for three years. Also, extreme weather conditions ensured the police had uncommon companions in the tents- including bandicoots, serpents and insects of various kinds.

Finding a new building for the police station proved difficult what with the high property rates and not much vacant land nearby.

Recently, a government building, near Chandrika Hotel on Cunningham Road, was identified for the High Grounds police station. It is said to be government quarters that had been given to the DCP Basavaraj Malagatti.

The DCP, despite being transferred to Mysore a year ago, had not vacated the quarters. Home Minister R Ashoka's intervention, however, forced Malagatti to vacate the building which will now accommodate the High Grounds police station.

The building will be inaugurated on Monday by Police Commissioner Jyoti Prakash Mirji. The High Grounds police staff are relieved for now, but have no idea how long it will be before the police station will get a building of its own. The SHO said they are searching for a place near the old building.

The police station has retained the old records, weapons, handcuffs and even telephone numbers, despite diplacement.