Staff crunch cripples Intelligence wing in Karnataka's coastal belt

Mangaluru: The state’s coastal districts may be vulnerable to terrorism, Maoists, communal trouble and crime, but the government doesn't seem to be giving intelligence gathering in these parts the priority it deserves.

Although it relies heavily on the Intelligence wing to maintain calm in the sensitive coastal belt, it has left it short staffed for a long time now, failing to increase its strength or fill up its many vacancies.

In fact, the post of Superintendent of Police of the Mangaluru division of the Intelligence wing, covering the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Chikmagaluru and Shivamogga, has been vacant for about six months.

Currently, the Shivamogga Deputy Superintendent of police holds additional charge of it. And in turn, the inspector heading the Dakshina Kannda intelligence wing, has been given additional charge as Deputy Superintendent of Police , Shivamogga. There are more vacancies. While Mangaluru has an inspector, four of its five sub- inspector posts are still vacant. Official sources blame the situation on the reluctance of the police to serve in the intelligence wing at Mangaluru.

“As Dakshina Kannada district has all sorts of law and order problems and a lot of crime, any failure in intelligence is questioned by seniors. Also there is not enough infrastructure here. Despite the limited resources, the Intelligence wing is expected to keep an eye on the Naxals, the underworld, terrorists and communal elements,” they noted, urging the government to increase the strength of the Intelligence wing in the area and fill up the vacancies at least now.