People pour out grievances at SP Sanjeev Patil’s first phone-in programme

Udupi: Complaints ranging from Matka, Illegal liquor sale in petty shops, traffic woes, harassment by Auto drivers and many other issues poured in at the first direct phone-in programme organised by the newly appointed Udupi district Superintendent of Police Dr Sanjeev Patil here on Saturday, August 19 at the SP office. Most of the queries were related to Matka, rash driving and harassment by Auto drivers.

The Superintendent of Police Dr Sanjeev Patil received 27 calls in the first of its kind direct phone-in programme.

Dr Patil addressing the complainants said that the high decibel horns used by private buses have come to his notice. Private bus operators are directed to remove such horns, if they fail to comply with the directives issued, the police department will initiate effective action. Bus operators are also directed not to let students travel standing on footboards.

Callers highlighted the matka menace which is at peak, gambling activities have risen in the district in Shirva, Gangolli, Kota and other prominent areas and the callers appealed for prompt action. Dr Patil replying to the complainants said that effective action will be initiated against gambling activities in the district. Action will be taken on the people involved in gambling. The police officials in their jurisdiction will be working within the legal parameters to curb gambling. A probe will be initiated against the officials who fail to take steps to curb gambling. The secrecy of the persons who provide information on gambling activities will be maintained.

A caller said that liquor is sold in petty shops in Kota and Gangolli which leads to problems in the society. SP directed the concerned officials of Kota and Gangolli to take action.

Another caller said that the water from fish transporting vehicles is spilled on roads causing vehicles to slip, especially the two-wheelers. SP said that action will be taken against the fish transporting vehicles if they spill the wastewater on roads. The vehicle owners should drain the wastewater in their private property and not on the roads. If wastewater is continued to be spilled on the roads, such vehicles will be seized.

 

A caller said that auto drivers were not using meters and get into a verbal spat with commuters if advised to use meters. SP said that action will be initiated against such auto drivers if the registration numbers of the vehicles are provided. People also complained about illegal bars, liquor outlets, traffic problems, illegal sand mining and other issues.

A teacher from Dr TMA Pai School, Kallianpur was a surprise caller who said that the students wanted information on the law. SP said that he would personally visit the school and interact with the school students.

Later speaking to mediaperons SP Dr Sanjeev Patil said that 27 calls were received, there was a good response from the public. The weekly phone-in programme will help the police to know about the ground reality which will help them in their work to address the problems affecting citizens. A record of each call is recorded and the grievance is noted. He also said that people should feel free to phone the police department. The secrecy of people who give information on issues will be maintained.

DySP Kumaraswamy, DCIB inspector Sampath Kumar were present.