Mangaluru: The phone-in move made by Mangaluru City Police has had great response over the past few weeks since its introduction. Every Friday, from 10 to 11 in the morning, phone calls from namma oorudaklu are being entertained by the police and made sure the complaints received are taken care of.
News Karnataka visited the office of Commissioner of Police to listen to the complaints of the people through the “Phone-in move” on Friday, October 28. There had been quite a number of calls informing the police about various civic issues related to traffic as well as law and order so that necessary steps could be taken by them to solve the problems.
As many as 20 phone calls were received on an average by the police in an hour every week during the past two months and a significant number of issues were apprised of to the police by the callers. While most callers phone-in to complain, some even call to commend the measures taken by the police in solving certain issues.
One caller from Surathkal, Lokesh had informed the police through phone-in, some weeks ago about haphazard parking of vehicles under the Surathkal flyover. During our reality check, we heard him congratulating the police and thanked Surathkal Station police officer Manjunath for controlling the parking menace.
Several traffic related issues like roadside parking, pothole menace, hooligan bus drivers, unlicensed auto rickshaws and many more have been informed by the public to the police. Deputy Commissioner of Police K M Shantharaju attended calls today and he said that every week, either the Commissioner of Police Chandra Sekhar or Deputy Commissioner of Police M Sanjeev Patil or he himself attends the calls and assures the callers of action and notification as well.
Shantharaju has directed the media to remain discreet about certain calls regarding illegal and immoral activities, and mentioned about strict confidentiality of the names of the callers so as to avoid drastic repercussions.
One topic raised by a caller from Mangaladevi was about fish-laden trucks releasing viscous waste liquid on to the roads. Shantharaju told the caller about the IMV law that is being violated by such trucks and ensured strict action against them.
On the whole, several suggestions were given by the citizens themselves and gave a lot of scope for improvement of the city as well as the police department. Shantharaju also made sure that complaints which require action from Mangaluru City Corporation were conveyed to the officials concerned so that necessary action could be taken.
To phone-in to the Mangaluru City Police, citizens can either call 2220801 or 2220830 between 10 AM and 11 AM every Friday.
