Police helpline completes eventful 20 years

Mysuru: The office-bearers and volunteers of Mysuru City Police Helpline celebrated its 20th anniversary at the police commissioner’s office on Tuesday.
From what was set up two decades ago by the then police commissioner C Chandrashekar, the helpline has come a long way in helping the citizens of Mysuru. It has attended to 37,380 cases in the past twenty years by offering free counselling to aggrieved parties and disturbed individuals in various incidents, by expert volunteers.
The helpline, the office of which is located above Lashkar police station building, was set up after a teenage girl ended her life on Chamundi Hills. The then police commissioner C Chandrashekar felt that had there been any facility to counsel the girl, a life would have been saved. With this intent, the helpline was set up in July 2000. Since then, the helpline has saved families.
Nearly 32 volunteers from different walks of life – medical, teaching, entrepreneurs, homemakers and advocates are offering free service in the form of counselling people in Mysuru.
Cases like dowry harassment, sexual harassment at work place, marital discord, property dispute, illicit affairs, depression, drug addiction, suicidal tendencies, mental sickness, poverty, financial dispute, clash with neighbours, student issues, education-related issues and consumer complaints have been taken up and counselled by the parties in the past twenty years.
Since the police commissioner is the president of the Police Helpline, personnel from all police stations bring in cases that could be settled through counselling here to address the disputes. Usha Kiran Hospital founder Dr Moti is the vice-president.
On the occasion, police commissioner KT Balakrishna appreciated the volunteers for their selfless service to the society. People of Mysuru, who have any issues with regard to them or family or professional life may utilize the helpline services for free. The commissioner also appealed to the public, willing to work as volunteers, to contact the office.
Deputy commissioner of police M Muthuraju and ACP Gajendra Prasad were present.