Mangalore, Nov 10: Developmental works such as asphalting of roads and construction of a sewer have been discussed at the review meeting of works in naxal-infested areas held in Deputy Commissioner's office, said the police department to the Dalit representatives at the SC/ST monthly grievance meeting at the Superintendent of Police's office here on Sunday.
In response to alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Rs 5 crore package for development of naxal-infested areas, the police department said that tender had been called for the asphalting of a 1.5 km road to a Jain Basadi in Savanalu at a cost of Rs 30 lakhs, and the executive engineer had notified that the work would be completed by December. Permission had been given for asphalting of the 2.5 km road from Kuthloor to Alambada along the Kudremukh National Park at a cost of Rs 23.65 lakhs. Construction of a sewer and retaining wall was completed at a cost of Rs 3.5 lakhs. The sum that was released (Rs 1.5 crore) has not been utilised for other projects, informed a police official, at the meeting chaired by the newly-appointed SP Shantanu Sinha.
Grievance against privately-owned transport vehicle owners
Dalit representative Narayan Punchame said that in areas of Puttur, Sullia, Nelyadi, Belthangady and Subramanya, it was common practice to fill labourers and other people exceeding the limit in privately-owned transport vehicles such as jeeps and small vans. “Even when travelling on bad roads, the owners of these transport vehicle owners fill their vehicles to the dozens, while plying from one place to another. They also tend to threaten us if we complain or object to the practice,” urging the police department to take action against such transport vehicles and their owners.
District president of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (Ambedkar Vada) SP Anand raised the issue of receiving regular complaints over suspicion of involvement of one police constable from Bantwal police station in illegal cattle trafficking and robberies in the area.
Mr Sinha said that the police department would look into both the problems and take appropriate action.
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