Shimoga DC Ponnuraj speaks of threatening calls at work

Mangalore Today News Network

January 28: Shimoga Deputy Commissioner V. Ponnuraj says that threats are quite common in his line of work. He referred to the threatening call he received from the Chinese when he refused to release the crew of MV Asian Forest, which sank off the Panambur coast and insisted that the owners of the ship first remove the wreck and then request the release of its crew.

Ponnuraj said that threats are usually made by sand, oil, and food adulteration mafia in the DK. Referring to oil siphoning, sand mining, and fuel and food adulteration as the major lobbies in the DK, he admitted that DCs do not get threats as directly as those employed at the lower levels. Such threats lower the morale of officers who have to conduct raids without any protection from the police, he said.

Ponnuraj further explained at those in the various mafias make plenty of money, which enables them to establish connections easily. They use their influence with various politicians as soon as arrests are made and the calls come in warning concerned officials to slow down on proceedings. He said that the solution lies with the police, who should not hesitate to take strict action against anti-social elements.

While DK Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav admitted that threats are quite common in his line of work, he refused to reveal any details.