Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 11: K T Balakrishna, an IPS officer of the 2006 batch, on Thursday August 11 assumed charge as the new superintendent of police (SP) of Udupi district.
The post was lying vacant ever since the transfer of SP Annamalai. Additional SP Vishnuwardhan was given the charge until the arrival of the new SP.
After accepting the guard of honour, Balakrishna speaking to reporters spoke on a number of issues including the Bhaskar Shetty murder case, shortage of staff, priorities and so on.
Replying to a question on how he plans to go about in the Bhaskar murder case, he said, "I have read media reports on the case and gathered information. I will hold discussions with the officials concerned and the investigation officer and then chalk out a plan."
On what his priorities as SP would be, he said, "My first priority is to strenghen the police department and increase manpower. The next priority would be the people. I have to understand the people first and make the department more people-friendly, and win their confidence. Protecting property, peace, harmony and law and order is also a top priority."
To a question on the atmosphere of mistrust that has pervaded following the brutal murder of Bhaskar Shetty and how he plans to tackle it, Balakrishna said, "There is no need to have any doubts about the police. People should have confidence in the police. We will probe the case thoroughly and see that justice is done."
On the issue of Naxals especially in Karkala region, he said, "I will hold detailed discussions with the ASP concerned and take appropriate steps in the matter."
To a question on the increasing instances of crime in the district, he said, "Crime can be of two types - organized crime and traditional crime. It is not possible to stop crimes completely, but we can curb them. We will do our best and take all necessary action to reduce crimes."
On the shortage of police staff in the district, he said, "There is no excuse for not doing one's work efficiently. We have to work with whatever facilities the government has given us. Filling up vacant posts is a long-term process. There may be shortage, but it cannot be used as an excuse."
Regarding moral policing, he said stringent action would be taken against anyone who indulges in it or takes into one's hands.
Prior to coming to Udupi as SP, Balakrishna served as SP of Gadag district. He has earlier served as deputy commandant general of Home Guards and ex-officio deputy director of civil defence in Bengaluru, as SP of Uttara Kannada district and principal of Police Training School, Channapatna. He was rewarded with a medal in 2003 when, as ASP, he had nabbed four aides of Veerappan in connection to the kidnap and killing of former minister Nagappa. He won another medal from the central government on the occasion of the 50th Independence Day.