Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Aug 19: The first phone-in programme by the district police spearheaded by superintendent of police (SP) Sanjeev Patil, received tremendous response in its maiden run on Saturday August 19. In a span of just one hour from 10 am to 11 am, the SP's office at Bannanje received 27 calls from the public.

The callers expressed concerns over various problems plaguing Udupi, such as matka, drugs, illegal sale of liquor in petty shops, irregularities in parking system, sign boards, speeding vehicles and so on, and urged the police to improve beat patrolling.

Calls were received from various places like Byndoor, Udupi, Shirva, Brahmavar, Gangolli, Padubidri, Manipal and other police station limits. Matka and gambling issues were reported in highest numbers by callers from Kota, Gangolli, Shirva.

A teacher called from Santhekatte high school and requested the police to create awareness on law and order, to which the SP replied, "I will take a class for students from 12 noon to 12.30 pm. It would feel good to interact with children."

Another caller complained about encroachment of public road by a private party in Hosadu under Gangolli limits. Callers from Padubidri and Gangolli drew the attention of the police on the need to relocate liquor shops that were near the highway. A caller from Kota said that liquor was being illegally supplied in petty shops.

Another complaint was regarding auto rickshaws in Manipal, wherein the caller said that auto drivers were demanding more than the meter charge. The caller claimed that the auto drivers were not using meters and looting money from the public.

One of the callers complained about contaminated water spilling on the roads from fish-laden vehicles plying from Malpe harbour. The SP assured that such vehicles would be identified and warned on Saturday, and cases will be filed against them starting Monday August 21.

People also complained about drunkards misbehaving and creating nuisance at city service and government bus stands in Udupi.

At the end of the phone-in programme, SP Sanjeev Patil speaking to media persons said, "I am happy with the public response. With this, we are able to get more accurate information on illegal activities. We will keep track of such activities. Nearly 134 cases were lodged pertaining to matka in the district last year. A total of 126 cases have been filed up till July 31."

He also said that considering the number of complaints from the public, he was not satisfied with the number of cases that have actually been filed.

The SP instructed all the PSIs and personnel of police stations concerned to keep track of the complaints and take action if necessary. "The police should raid such places. Drug dealers and gamblers should be arrested directly on the spot. If any police official shows any negligence over the complaints given by the public, or if any police officer is found to be involved in illegal activities, the department will take immediate action without further investigation," he warned.

He however said that drug menace is a persistent problem that cannot be stopped or resolved in a day. "Curbing drug menace is possible only through awareness programmes at schools and colleges.

"The police department will work hard to improve the beat system and prevent illegal activities. The phone-in programme will be conducted every week on Saturday morning. The identities of callers will be kept strictly confidential. We have taken this initiative to make the police department people-friendly," the SP said.