Mangalore, Aug 7, 2013: MN Reddy, Additional Director General of Police has assured the people that there was no need for fear or worry during the festive season as the police department has been instructed to act tough on law breakers.
He was speaking to the media after his maiden visit to the Commissionerate office in Mangalore on August 7, Wednesday and reviewing the law and order situation.
Answering queries by the media on rising rowdyism, underworld activities and attacks during cattle transportation, the ADGP said that no individual or group should take law into hands under any circumstance. A person will have right to prevent a theft but he cannot resort to violence in the process and such acts will be treated as rowdyism, he warned.
ADGP Reddy meanwhile rubbished the allegation that there was political pressure to protect the cattle thieves in the district. The department will work within legal framework and will file cases against the culprits, he said.
Setting up of night patrol department has been the major priority of the police department, he said adding the department will further discuss on strengthening the patrolling team at day and night. The ADGP also admitted that the department faced problems due to shortage of personnel. At the same time he added the state government was trying to make appointments to tackle the staff shortage problem and hoped that the problem would be solved within the next three years.He said the state budget has also allocated funds for appointment of staff.
The ADGP also had a word of praise for the efficiency with which the department was functioning.
Speaking on the Moodbidri Basadi theft case, Mangalore Police Commissioner Manish Kharbikar said the police could arrest the main accused in Andhra Pradesh after much efforts as he was on the run since the theft took place. Moreover the only clue the department had was of the CCTV footage, he added.
He said the department could recover three idols, while the accused had melted five idols into gold ingots. Seven idols are yet to be recovered, he said and added the main accused was also involved in many cases in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. The accused during investigation has admitted that he was involved in 8 theft cases at Kumta, Kundapur, Karkala, Moodbidri and Udupi town, the Commissioner informed.
IGP Western Range Prathap Reddy were present.