Prakash Nikam, the newly appointed Superintendent of Police of Vijayapura, has asserted that ensuring a free and fair Assembly election in the district was his biggest priority.
Speaking to reporters after taking over from Kuldeep Jain, who got transfer as Commandant of Karnataka State Reserve Police, Mr. Nikam said this was his first Assembly election duty since joining the police service.
On his other priorities, Mr. Nikam said he wishes to focus on basic policing, such as intensifying day and night beats for preventing crime. “Prevention [of crime] is most important and [will be] my focus. In this regard, steps will be taken by holding meetings with my colleagues here,” he said.
With regard to addressing the traffic problem in the city, Mr. Nikam said that since traffic management was the most visible police action, he would try to introduce a better solution. He added that since traffic management requires coordinated efforts by the police and the district administration, he would soon hold a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner for preparing broader plans.
He said he has held a meeting with his predecessor and, in coming days, would implement new plans as well as the ones introduced by Mr. Jain.
Asked about his plans for curbing the supply of illegal weapons, mainly in Indi taluk, Mr. Nikam said though he does not know much about it, he would take stringent action. “During my being interaction with Mr. Jain, he shared some information on the issue. I am told that in the past, the police had taken certain actions to curb it. I will hold meetings to prepare more plans,” he said.
He added that he would keep an eye on the activities of habitual offenders and people with criminal background.
