Police meet the public

The police-public meet organised at Cheddanagar temple on August 6, was an open forum to enable an interactive session between the law abiding citizens and those responsible for maintaining law and order. This unique meet, probably the first of its kind in our suburb, was organised jointly the Subramania Samaj along with Vedanth Welfare Foundation.

DCP Dilip Sawant discusses various issues like increasing chain snatching incidents with the citizens

Members of Cheddanagar Residents Welfare Association (CRWA) also joined hands with them to discuss the safety and security in the areas in and around Cheddanagar.

The meeting on Thursday was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Dilip Sawant, Shivajirao N, senior inspector from Tilaknagar police station, A S Peerzade, senior inspector of crime branch.

S Ravindranath from Vedanth Welfare Foundation, speaking to CG Plus, stated, “Our area has witnessed several cases of theft and chain snatching, so we met Rakesh Maria (commissioner of police, crime) in this regard. After this it was decided to hold an open forum where the local police and public can interact.”

While welcoming the guests P S Subramanian from the Subramania Samaj remarked, “This open forum will create confidence among the citizens. It will restore the faith that people can bank on the police when it comes to their security.” Raja Chougale, the local corporator who also resides in Cheddanagar mooted the idea of employing private security guards equipped with mobile phones in an attempt to supplement the efforts of the police.

Addressing the gathering DCP Sawant stated, “Taking a serious note of the chain snatching and house breaking cases in Cheddanagar, we have increased our patrolling. We have deployed a dedicated beat marshal with wireless connection in the area. In addition we also have policemen in plainclothes to keep a watch in the area.

Our good work is not always communicated to the citizens, that is why there is a misconception among the citizens regarding the efficiency of the police officials.” He also urged NGOs and other youth representatives to come forward and form a team of volunteers who can patrol or serve as ‘eyes and ears’ by keeping a close watch on the area. “This exercise will have an added advantage.

As policemen we cannot identify who are the residents and who are not, particularly when anti social elements enter the housing societies during the night. When residents co-operate in this exercise we can easily establish the identity of such suspicious people.

As alert citizens you can also call 100 (or 103 which is a dedicated helpline for women) if you want to call for help, communicate or pass any information to the police” he stated.Some of the residents also shared their nightmarish experiences with regard to house burglary, assault and chain snatching.

Annapoorni Krishnamoorthy one such victim stated, “Two months back at around 6:40 pm some culprits injured me while fleeing with my gold chain. I was in shock; to my horror I found that I was also bleeding due to the injury in the neck. I did not lodge an FIR due to fear.

” Replying to this problem, DCP insisted that every victim should muster courage to report the matter to the nearest police station and they must also insist on an FIR. “Only then we can catch the thieves and put them behind bars,” he mentioned.

Giving out some statistics Peerzade stated, “Since January this year, 13 cases of chain snatching have been reported at the Tilaknagar station out of which six are from Cheddanagar. Two cases have been opened by the crime branch.”

Some suggestions discussed during the meet
* More such meetings must be held at regular intervals
* Survey of the area should be conducted, particularly of senior citizens living alone
* Residents should check the backgrounds of watchmen and house help before employing them in homes