Silvester D'souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RJP)
Mangalore, Oct 11: “Law is the weapon for social empowerment. It is the duty of the police to ensure that the weapon is not misused,” said Amrit Paul, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Western Range.
He was speaking at a public meet held in Kundapur at Taluk Panchayat hall. The IGP encouraged free and frank talk in which lots of people participated.
“I have not come here to deliver any speech. But I have come here to take opinions and suggestions from you which will help the police department to find solutions to the problems faced and adapt new tactics in addressing various issues,” he added.
Advocate Shiriya Gopalakrishna Shetty raised the issue of prosecution failing in most of the cases. He accused the prosecution of conniving with some lawyers by taking kick backs from them. The IGP promised that he would look into the matter and investigate if the complaint is given in writing.
On the issue of misuse of law in the cases involving atrocities against women and children, the IGP said that the law is needed to stop the atrocities against children and women. He added that the officer receiving the complaint has to investigate and decide about the merit of the case and assured that if the case was not genuine it would be closed through a B report.
BJP leader Kishore Kumar with journalist K G Vaidya and others explained the traffic situation in Kundapur despite having a separate traffic police station. The proposal to ease the traffic flow was presented to IGP with various suggestions.
IGP replied that in association with students of Moodlakatte MIT Engineering College, plans for the better management of traffic are worked out. He promised strict action against those who break traffic laws.
Congress leader Malyady Shivarama Shetty demanded a police station in Kalavar or Koteshwara in between Kota and Kundapur due to an increase in population. The IGP asked the SP to send a report within two weeks about the pros and cons of opening a new police station. The IGP said that he will look into the matter where there is a proposal to shift the Kundapur Women's police station to Udupi.
Gunarathna, former president, Town Municipal demanded that the women's police station in Kundapur should remain.
Rajendra Prasad, Superintendent of Police, Udupi and Santosh Kumar, Additional Superintendent of Police were present.
Kundapur DySP C B Patil welcomed while CI Divakar moderated the programme.