Police to crack down on extortion

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, C.H. Nagaraju, on Sunday ordered the city police to book those who extort money from the public under any pretext, chiefly the organising of festivities in connection with local religious events.

Chairing an interaction between police officers and representatives of residents’ welfare associations in the city, Mr. Nagaraju sought an urgent report on a complaint that a police officer was harassing his neighbours in the Jagathy East Resident’s Association area.

The complainant said the policeman had a tiff with his neighbour, a doctor, and he resorted to illegal means, including bullying and riotous behaviour, to settle it. He said the Poojappura police had not acted on the doctor’s complaint so far. Another resident said that the Police Control Room had not heeded his request to act on a complaint of unauthorised parking. He had called 100 at around 11.30 a.m. on February 11 and received an indifferent response from the control room officer who took the call. The DCP said he will enquire into the matter.

Some complained that the police were penalising two wheeler riders for not wearing helmets. They requested that senior citizens should be exempted from wearing helmets while riding two wheelers. The DCP said the police were bound to impose the helmet rule and none could be exempted. He said senior citizens could move the High Court for an exemption from the rule.

The police were inquiring into a complaint that a religious preacher’s house was set on fire in Peroorkada. The DCP said he could not reveal details. He ordered the removal of confiscated vehicles dumped on the public parking area near the Transport Bhavan at East Fort.

The residents complained about the piling up of construction material on roadsides. At Muttathara, two cinema star fans associations were competing with each other by erecting huge hoardings of their respective favourites. The hoardings impeded the vision of motorists and were proving to be a traffic hazard. The DCP ordered the immediate removal of the boards.