Date:16/07/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/07/16/stories/2002071602450300.htm

Southern States - Karnataka

Joint police exercise to curb crime on Kodagu-Kerala border

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI July 15. There is a move to conduct an exercise involving the Kodagu and Kerala police in a bid to bring down the crime rate in the border areas, according to the Inspector General of Police (Southern Range), B.Umapathi.

Speaking to presspersons here on Monday, Dr. Umapathi said an interaction between the Kodagu and Kerala police had yielded results. It had helped curb various forms of crimes on the border.

Several meetings were organised in Kodagu and Kerala in this connection in the past. He indicated that a meeting involving the Kerala and the State police was being planned in Bangalore soon to sort out various issues.

Statng that the Kerala Police had extended cooperation to the Kodagu Police in checking border crimes in the recent times, Dr. Umapathi said more and more patrolling on the border, especially during nights, could help put an end to the recurrence of crimes.

He announced that help desks would be established in important towns of Kodagu to provide assistance to the needy. Problems arising out of family disputes, young boys and girls requiring help and attention could avail of the services. These centres could come in handy in eradicating child labour as well. Such centres were working successful in districts such as Mysore and Mandya, he added.

Dr. Umapathi, who stressed the importance of maintaining peace, law and order in the district, said he had instructed the officers to conduct police-public meetings in their limits once a month. To a question on dropping cases booked in connection with the Sri Harischandra Temple desecration in the district in December last, he said he would examine the issue.

Dr. Umapathi, who lauded the Kodagu Police for bringing down the crime rate in the district in the recent past, said more scientific methods would be used to prevent recurrence of crimes in the district. Certain changes were needed to make night patrolling be more effective, he added.

The Kodagu Superintendent of Police, Umesh Kumar, was present.