No Naxal presence in dist: SP, Uttar Kannada

SIRSI: Ravi S, Superintendent of Police, Uttar Kannada district, has said that even though there was no presence of either Naxalites or terrorist activities in the district, strict and constant vigilance was being observed in the entire district, to prevent such possibilities.He was speaking to reporters in the programme, ‘Meet the Press’, organised by DWJA, Uttar Kannada, at the DSP office, here on Thursday, after inaugurating the Traffic Safety week and release of CD and books relating to crime and others.He said several checkposts were established at critical points of both, road and rail routes and with the help of Sea Bird authorities, ‘stray ship’ arrivals were being monitored through the radar system, to prevent the arrival of explosives in ships through sea routes. All illegal movements were being checked round the clock.The SP said no proof was available regarding the stated roots and accomplice of Mohamed Riyaz of Bhatkal, who was wanted by the Mumbai police in the Mumbai serial blast case. He said it was true that Riyaz hailed from Bhatkal but had moved away a long time ago. No concrete proof were available regarding his base, he added.Replying to a question, he said though the crime rate in the district, had reduced, the quantity and quality of brisk action, investigation and recovery had ‘doubled’.Around 53 deaths and 22 injury cases had been reported in road accidents, due to iron ore transport lorries, in the last three years. To keep a check on the same, certain comprehensive plans and guidelines including ‘speed governors’, reflectors, indicators, etc, were prescribed/framed in the recent meeting held at Karwar recently, with the DC, transporters and others.Parking lots for lorries at every stretch of 20 kilometres on highways, were also planned within the district boundaries, he added.Ravi assured of fair investigation in every crime case and setting up women desks in the police stations as per the guidelines. He also stated that 69 different posts are vacant in the department, in the district, that would also be filled soon.DSP Basha Sab, CPI N T Pramod Rao and DWJA president G Subray Bhat Bakkal, were present