Mangaluru: MLC Ivan D’Souza along with other party leaders and workers visited the Kankanady Rural Police Station here on June 12.
MLC Ivan D’Souza speaking to the mediapersons said, “Six months ago, I had raised the issue in the Assembly of this same police station which is operating from a rice storage go-down in Maroli. We have the right to come to the police station. This is the largest police station with 16 Gram Panchayats and more than 1.5 lakh population under its jurisdiction. After this issue was raised in the assembly on February 1, the Home Minister had given the assurance of taking all measures to shift the police station.”
He further said, “The Police officers should try to shift the police station as soon as possible, because more than 100 people come everyday to the Kankanady Police Station for passport verification. Various crimes are registered here and there is no safety for the important documents. There is water leakage in the building during the rainy season and it is in a pathetic condition. I feel ashamed of myself to come to this police station. We are in the modern world with modern technology but when we see the condition of the Kankanady Rural Police Station, we feel sad.”
Inspector of Kankanady Rural Police Station Pramod Kumar said that there is a plan to divide the Kankanady rural police station into three stations. “Already a proposal of building a police station at Kaikamba has been sent to the government. So far, we have not received any response. If the proposal will be accepted and a police station will be built in Kaikamba, the 8 Gram Panchayats such as Mallur, Ulaibettu, Tiruveilu and Addur will come under the Kaikamba police station and we can reduce our burden. The Pandeshwar police station is also one of the largest police stations in DK district. The DC office, Nehru Maidan comes under its jurisdiction and there are a large number of theft cases. We have sent a proposal to start a police station in Jeppinamogeru so that we can reduce the work load of these two police stations.
Later, DCP Vishnuverdhan arrived to the station. MLC Ivan D’Souza discussed the issue with the DCP and said that the media is highlighting the pathetic condition of the police station which is shameful for all of us. “The media is targeting the ministers and the government for not taking any action to build a full fledged police station. Whereas the Chief Minister, Home Minister, MLAs and the Mangalore City Corporation is ready to build a new police station if the police officers find suitable land. If there is no seriousness, it is an insult to ourselves. There is an impression that the ministers are not doing anything for the welfare of the society. The police officers should find suitable land and not the ministers. Why is there a delay in shifting the police station? This is human rights violation, the police working here are not provided basic facilities. They work in a situation where there is no safety. In rainy season the rain water leaks inside the cabin of police inspector and other rooms. The documents also get wet and they are not safe.” Ivan also advised the DCP to take necessary action to shift the police station soon from this building which is in a pathetic state and which was a rice godown earlier.
DCP Vishnuverdhan replying said, “We are already in the process of renting a house for Kankanady Rural police station, we need to get a suitable and accessible location. We need land on the main road. As an alternative we are trying to get land and we have discussed about it with the MUDA Chairman. We have given many proposals to various authorities.” DCP assured to get a rented house and shift the police station as soon as possible.
Police Inspector Pramod Kumar speaking to mangalorean.com said, “The land owner of the present police station Arvind Punja has requested us to vacate his premises. From the past four years, he has given us the place to set up the police station. Now, as he needs to develop his land, he has asked us to vacate and has given us one more year to shift the police station. We are in the process of finding a suitable land. If there is any land which measures 50 cents to one acre in and around Maroli or Kulshekar area, or if anyone is willing to lease their land or house which is suitable to operate as a police station, they can come forward.
Ivan D’Souza assured financial support to build the police station. Ivan D’Souza also said that the corporator of the area, Mayor, deputy mayor and the party workers have special concern to build a full fledged police station, so they are all present here to solve the problem.