500 more CCTV cameras for Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The government appears to have woken up to the need to strengthen policing in the city. Having already recruited over 2,000 police constables for Bengaluru, it plans to install around 500 CCTV cameras across it over the next two years, according to Home Minister, Dr G Parameshwar.

Responding to a series of questions on the  law and order situation in the state during question hour in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, the minister denied there  was shortage of staff in police stations and claimed the number of criminals in the city had fallen over the last three years. As for  Mahalakshmi Layout MLA, K Gopalaiah’s concern over growing crime against women in Bengaluru, he said whenever there was any offence against them, the Goonda Act was invoked against those responsible and police stations were being adequately staffed to provide them more protection.

Also, besides establishing 31 women police stations in all the districts, the government planned to increase the number of women in the police force from the present five per cent to 20 per cent.

When Ms Shashikala Jolle of the BJP raised the issue of Tumkur Rural ASI, Umesh sexually assaulting a mentally challenged woman, Dr Parameshwar admitted the officer’s behavior was unacceptable and said he had been already suspended. Once the chargesheet was filed, further action would be taken against him, he assured.