Cops crack down on rowdies with externment measures in Karnataka

HUBBALI: Police have cracked down on rowdies and miscreants in the twin cities of Hubbali-Dharwad after citizens reported several incidents of stabbing deaths and group clashes involving individuals who were under the influence of narcotic substances.
As part of measures to ensure prevention of criminal activities and maintain peace and order, district police are now externing rowdies from the disturbed areas to neighbouring districts. Externment typically means prohibition of a convicted person from residing in a specified locality for a specified period of time.
According to Rajeev M, the deputy commissioner of police (law and order), Hubbali-Dharwad, 21 criminals have been externed in the last four months and more will follow in order to send out a strong message to all those who attempt to disturb peace.
Speaking to TOI, Rajeev said: "Police officers are now gleaning information about rowdies within their respective police station limits and preparing a list of those criminals who have failed to reform themselves despite multiple warnings and reminders."
The DCP further said that due process of law was being followed for externment of rowdies. All cases come up for hearing at the court and orders are issued to extern criminals only after it is confirmed that they have failed to reform themselves even after multiple warnings, the police official clarified.
He further said that criminals are externed for six months to one year, depending upon the nature of crime. "We hand them over to the neighbouring district police department. Once externed, the criminal is required to report once or twice daily to the designated police station and is kept under constant surveillance," Rajeev added.