Mico Layout police ask neither for vehicles nor guns; they just need more personnel

The crime rate in Mico Layout, a mostly up-market area in south-east Bangalore, has been in a state of constant fluctuation over the last five years. But the graph has only been on an upward climb in recent times. There has been a 50% rise in crime at Mico Layout in the last one year.

Meanwhile, the police are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain law and order in the area. The reason for this could be attributed to the shortage of personnel at the Mico Layout police station. According to sources, the police force there is short of 17 constables, who are desperately required for guarding the crime-prone area.

The police station, set up in the 1970s at BTM Layout II Stage, covers a population of over 4 lakh people. Just 74 police personnel guard the area, which starts from Siddaguntepalya in Diary Circle to Devarachikkanahalli, covering a part of Bannerghatta Road. The current staff at the Mico Layout police station comprises one inspector, two sub-inspectors, seven assistant sub inspectors, 20 head constables, 42 constables and two women constables.

"Most of the problems here are caused by dacoits, burglars and robbers from other states. Many of these gangs move from one area in Bangalore to another, commit the crime and go back. Curiously, we have noticed students increasingly indulging in crime in recent times,'' a police officer said.

In 2007, Mico Layout recorded 548 crimes, and the number shot up to 908 in 2008. "There is a huge increase in vehicle thefts in the area. We have made preventive arrests of the usual suspects to bring down the crime rate in the area," an officer said.

The officer then gave a few examples to drive home his point. "Rowdy-sheeter Bharath, who used to spread mayhem in the area, was arrested 15 days ago and later released on bail. Now he has shifted out of the area. Similarly, Harsha, who was a notorious dacoit in the area, packed his bags and left after police started getting tough with him," he added. Mico Layout's population constitutes of slum-dwellers as well as members of the elite. Many prestigious institutions such as the IIM-B, Christ University and Honeywell share space in the area with three slums - G D Mara, Gurappanapalya and Bismillanagar. 

To deal with crimes, the Mico Layout police have a jeep, two two-wheelers, five cheetah vehicles and one Hoysala. "We don't have any complaints regarding the weapons and vehicles supplied to us. If only we are provided with enough police personnel, we can do quite well at curbing crime,'' he added.

Sudhakar, the Mico Layout police station inspector, can be reached at 2294-2569.

Soumya Menon/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication