Date:31/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/31/stories/2007053104660200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

SP asks colleagues to rise to the occasion

Staff Reporter

Dashes off letters to police personnel highlighting the need to enforce basic policing

ANANTAPUR: Superintendent of Police M.S. Raveendra has initiated another exercise in the Police Department in the district by trying to inspire the police personnel to rededicate themselves for basic policing by writing letters to every employee in the department last week.

By implementing his brand of reforms the SP has been trying to take the police closer to the people with initiatives like `Yuvatha-Bhavitha' programme aimed at mobilising the unemployed youth in the villages and preventing them from falling into the traps of anti-social elements and extremists. He is of the view that the factional leaders would not thrive without the help of derailed youth.

To minimise the involvement of innocents in factional feuds the Police Department had tried to create awareness among people in faction-ridden villages with the help of cultural programmes in the name of `Melukolupu'.

The awareness campaign was held in 60 out of 72 faction-ridden villages categorised into three out of four groups, based on the intensity of feuds.

Later, the SP initiated `counselling' exercise for the village and mandal level leaders with factional-links.

While the ruling party views the exercise as "controversial", the Opposition and general public have been hailing it as the best step taken up by the police in the last several years.

Irrespective of opposition from some quarters, the SP has been pursuing the exercise vigorously, as and when required.

In association with the Indira Kranti Patham project, the Police Department has also helped about 300 unemployed youth get employment opportunities in cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad as security guards and other vocations.

In his letter to the men and officers the SP explained that people look up to the police to stamp out problems like factional feuds, extremism and other anti-social activities.

Asserting that the policing was at a crucial juncture in the district now, Mr. Raveendra asked them not to let down the hopes of people at large by discharging the duties without fear or favour.