Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, May 6: In an unprecedented move, the commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Hephsiba Rani Korlapati has been given a gunman for her security.

Korlapati has been facing the ire of corporators across party lines, who have been demanding her transfer. They have time and again alleged that she is not responding to the needs of the people and showing highhandedness in interacting with MCC members. Some of them had even met chief minister Siddaramaiah during his recent visit to the city and urged him to transfer her, but it is learnt that he turned down their demand.

The corporators had also alleged that the commissioner does not allow them to meet her without prior appoinment, and she had issued notice to an attender for allowing people inside when meetings were going on. Korlapati in her defense had said that she was unhappy with the working of the corporators and was not getting their cooperation in carrying out development works.

The MCC commissioner, in a letter to the city police commissioner dated April 22 had asked that she be provided a gunman so that she could carry out her official duties without any problems.

It is learnt that based on her request, the police department provided a gunman to her a few days ago. This is the first time in history that an MCC commissioner has been given gunman for security.

Responding to the issue, Kannur BJP corporator Sudheer told daijiworld, "This is really unfortunate. It is very sad to see that MCC commissioner feels threatened. She may have some fears. It has never happened before in the history of Mangaluru. The commissioner and the mayor are two faces of the same coin and should work together for Mangaluru's development. It is sad to see that there is misunderstanding, and it is people who will suffer. Everyone should come together and find a solution."

Asked since when the MCC commissioner has been given gunman, he said it was from the very next day of CM's visit to the city.

Hanumanth Kamath of Nagarika Hitarakshana Samithi came out in strong support of the commissioner and said, "The commissioner has been working as per the law, but MLAs and corporators are trying to create disturbance. There is too much pressure on her and hence she might have requested for security. It will give her protection and create fear in the opposition.

"If she really has a threat to life then it is okay to have a gunman, but at the same time, it is a shame that an efficient officer is forced to have a gunman. It shows that Mangaluru is not ready for efficient officers yet. This should not have happened," he added.

No threat to life: MCC commissioner

Speaking at a meeting of the MCC here on Wednesday May 6, commissioner Korlapati denied reports of threat to life. "I have received no threat to my life, but I felt the need for having a gunman, so I placed the request with the city police commissioner S Murugan on April 22 in a letter. I am thankful to the police commissioner for providing the gunman."

Asked if there was any specific reason for the request, she said that there was a boys' hostel next to her house. "I had already raised the compound wall of my house as there is a boys' hostel next to it. Now I feel secure both at work and in my house."