Road to cop quarters blocked after many thefts

MANGALURU: The road leading to the police quarters (Police Lane) from Maidan Road near the busy State Bank in the city was shut a fortnight ago. Though its not a public road, the sudden closure of the road left its users - both occupants of police quarters and others who used it as a shortcut to reach a temple and a mosque, wondering as to what led to such a decision. The actual reason behind the closure of this road may come as a surprise. If sources in the police department are to be believed, it is the fear of thieves that has led cops to take such a decision.

In the last one month, two incidents of burglaries were reported in the police quarters and cops suspect that the main entrance of their quarters was helping thieves gain access to houses. Moreover, there were other reasons that backed the decision such as public using the road as a parking lot, people using it as a shortcut to reach the railway station and other destinations, and lovelorn youth taking walks on the deserted road etc. Meanwhile, the closure of the road has not only inconvenienced the general public but also the occupants of police quarters, especially the wives of policemen who are said to be pressuring their husbands to get it re-opened. 

A policeman said that the closure of entrance gate does not make much difference to him as he has a vehicle, but the remaining members in his family, especially his wife have been affected much. “She has to take a detour now to reach the main road and market. Let them not allow vehicles, but people should be allowed to walk in and out,” he said. 

Another cop said the reason for shutting the road will reflect badly on the police force. Instead, they should have installed CVTV cameras or taken up security measures to check the burglaries. About 400 families of police personnel live in this quarters, he said, on condition of anonymity. 
However, DCP (L&O) Hanumantharaya refused to accept that the entrance was closed due to burglary incidents but was in the interest of safety of the police quarters.