Will focus on people-friendly policing: new SP

B M Lakshmi Prasad, who took charge as Superintendent of Police of Dakshina Kannada, said that his focus would be on ensuring “people-friendly policing.”

Speaking to mediapersons, on Wednesday, he said there was a kind of fear about police in the minds of the public. “The fear will be removed by building trust and confidence on the police system.”

Due to lack of commuication between the police and the public, many a time people fail to approach the police station, he said. “A system will be created wherein public can approach the police station fearlessly and also ensure that the police are respected.”

The beat system, initiated by previous SP Dr Ravikanthe Gowda, will be strengthened effectively by monitoring the system. The police in charge of beat will be monitored as to how he/she responds to the woes of the people, Prasad said.

To a query on challenges in a sensitive district like Dakshina Kannada, he said all the districts were sensitive in one or the other way. There is nothing that can not be handled. “By developing mutual trust and respect with the public and police, half of the problems can be sorted out.”

On illegal sand mining, he said, “Strict action will be initiated against those engaged in illegal sand extraction. If there is any need for setting up additional check posts to monitor the movement of sand illegally, it will be considered.”

On Maoists movement in Karnataka, he said the State government had handled Maoists menace effectively. As a result, the Moists presence in the state is minimal. The Anti-Naxal Force in association with the police have ensured that no pamphlets and banners were either distributed or mounted by the Moists during the last Assembly elections. Though Maoists were spotted in the neighbouring state of Kerala recently, one can not rule out that they had not entered the state from Kerala. The ANF and police have to keep a check on Maoists activities in Karnataka.

Prasad, an engineering graduate, worked in an IT firm before joining the police force. He is 2014 IPS batch officer.

It was his friend, who introduced him to the civil service examinations.

“I developed interest once I learnt about civil service exams. In a corporate world, I had not known the pulse of the society. After, entering the police department, I have a better understanding of the society.”

He has served as the SP of Internal Security Centre for Counter Terrorism, Bengaluru and ANF in the past.