Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate felicitated officers and staff members on Friday for their outstanding contributions in solving cases, maintaining law and order, and performing their duties with efficiency over the past three months.
The event was held at the District Parade Grounds, where City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy presented certificates of appreciation to 32 police officers. In addition, 121 police personnel received cash rewards and certificates. In total, 32 officers and 140 staff members were honoured.
Commissioner Reddy highlighted that 19 members of the Special Action Force were recognised for their crucial role in maintaining law and order across the city during the period.
Breakthroughs in long-pending cases
Speaking at the event, Commissioner Reddy stated that the police had made significant achievements in recent months. Among the key successes was the arrest of individuals who had been absconding for 27 years in connection with a communal riot case in Mulki.
In all, 52 absconding accused were apprehended, against whom non-bailable warrants (NBW) had been issued. The Commissioner noted that such breakthroughs demonstrated the force’s persistence and dedication in bringing long-pending cases to justice.
Recovery of stolen property and detection of thefts
During the three-month period, the police solved 39 theft cases and recovered stolen property worth ₹1.05 crore. The recovery highlighted the efforts of investigating officers and staff who worked to trace and return valuables to their rightful owners.
The Commissioner observed that consistent follow-up and field-level intelligence gathering had contributed to the recovery process. Officers who played a leading role in these property crime detections were among those honoured at the ceremony.
Strong action against drug-related offences
The Mangaluru police also intensified their fight against narcotics. Commissioner Reddy reported that 37 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. A total of 73 drug peddlers were arrested, of whom 46 remain in judicial custody.
Additionally, 127 individuals were detained for consumption of drugs, and 89 cases were booked against them. Intelligence gathered through these detentions is being used to identify and crack down on larger drug networks, the Commissioner explained.
The awards recognised major NDPS case detections and the coordinated efforts of teams involved in gathering intelligence, conducting raids, and curbing drug trafficking in the city.
Cyber vigilance and social media monitoring
Another area of achievement was in cyber and social media vigilance. The police registered cases against individuals engaged in spreading hate speech, fake propaganda, and provocative content online. Action was taken against 22 accused, underscoring the Commissionerate’s commitment to curbing online offences that pose threats to communal harmony and public order.
Personnel who tracked down such offenders were felicitated for their specialised efforts in cyber surveillance and ensuring legal action.
Recognition across multiple service categories
The awards were distributed in various categories, reflecting the wide scope of police work. These included long-pending case detections, tracing of absconding accused with NBWs, property theft detections, ensuring convictions in court, major case breakthroughs, NDPS case handling, tracking of social media offenders, traffic regulation, and maintenance of law and order.
The Commissioner emphasised that the objective of the felicitation was not only to reward exemplary service but also to motivate the entire force to continue performing their duties with dedication.
Conclusion: Commitment to public service
The felicitation ceremony served as an acknowledgment of the tireless efforts of Mangaluru police personnel in safeguarding the city. From solving decades-old cases to curbing drug trafficking and monitoring social media offences, the force has displayed efficiency and resilience.
Commissioner Reddy noted that recognising such achievements strengthens morale and inspires the police to continue striving for excellence in public service. The event concluded with a renewed call for the police to uphold law and order while maintaining peace and harmony in the city.