SP calls for rapid police action on complaints

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 02, 2014:  Superintendent of Police S D Sharanappa has told the police to act without the least delays on the complaints received from general public and file the FIR without making any delay or being selective.  “As soon as you receive the complaint, you should register the FIR. The police have no discretionary power in filing the FIR,” the SP said.

He was reacting to allegations made by  Dalit community leaders  against the police officials of delaying the process of filing FIR, at the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe monthly grievance meeting at the SP’s office on June 1.   Adi Dravida Samaja Seva Sangha representative Vishwanath Bantwal said that Samagara and Shwetha, residents of Bantwal Bypass were the victims of atrocities.  Their neighbour Shanthi had accused and threatened them, following which a complaint was filed in Bantwal police station.  But police have not yet lodged the FIR, he said.

In reply, the SP passed  general instruction to the police officials not to delay the process of filing FIR.  “If at all you have suspicion about the genuineness of the complaint, then make a basic inquiry, collect the details and book them,” he said.

Illegal fee collection by Govt. schools?

Dalita Hakkugala Horata Samiti President Shekhar Laila complained, government schools and colleges  collect  fee from students, though they are bound to offer free education. The fee ranges from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000.  The schools and colleges also hand over receipts for the payment received, he said and requested the officials from the social welfare department to pay surprise visits to the government educational institutions and inspect the matter and investigate for due action.

In reply, an official from the social welfare department said the department had given written instructions to the joint director of  collegiate education and the deputy director of the department of pre-university, to ensure that none of the colleges collect any fee.  “A statement on this will be published in media too,” he said.   The Superintendent of Police asked Dalit leaders to give an official memorandum on the issue so that it could be forwarded to the department concerned and follow up for effective implementation.