‘Mane Manege Police’ will promote trust between cops and citizens, says Javagal Srinath

Former India pacer Javagal Srinath said here on Wednesday that the ‘Mane Manege Police’, which aims to foster people-friendly policing, will help build amicable relationship between the cops and the public.

After launching the programme in the city, Mr. Srinath said that the initiative will help act as an icebreaker and usher in greater interaction between members of the civil society and the police.

The former cricketer said that in current times, the presence of police tends to have a negative connotation among the people, but hoped for a change in this perspective with an increase in police-public interaction through this initiative.

“People should welcome the police at their doorsteps when they intend to resolve any issue and help build trust,” he added.

Mr. Srinath said that if people get to the know the police better, and the relationship between the two were to be positive, it will help to reduce incidents related to law and order violations in the society.

The former cricketer also launched a poster promoting the concept of ‘Mane Manege Police’ to mark the occasion. Senior police officials including Commissioner of Police Seema Latkar and others were present.

‘Mane Manege Police’ has been launched across the State and is an initiative of the Government of Karnataka to not only foster people-friendly policing but also to bridge the gap between the public and the police department.

As part of the initiative, every beat officer in each police station has to visit the homes located within the jurisdictional police, interact with the inmates, gather feedback from the local community about law and order concerns, etc.

Ms. Latkar said that police were the protector of public rights, but it required the support of the society to do its job effectively. A close relationship with the public is not easy, and hence beat officers were assigned a cluster of 250 homes per constable who will raise awareness about crimes and share case-related updates relevant to each area, she added.

Ms. Latkar said that there will be one advisor for every cluster of 250 homes and weekly meetings will be held. Citizens can report suspicious activities in their area, and if a household has no male member, a woman constable will be sent, she added.

“Our primary objective is to maintain peace, order, and a safe environment in the society. Social security means protecting your rights, and for us to fulfil this responsibility effectively, public participation and support are absolutely necessary. At every level of policing, close engagement with the public is essential,” said the Commissioner.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) R.N. Bindumani, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic) K.S. Sundar Raj, and other senior officials were present. Ms. Latkar and other officials also visited a few residential areas and interacted with the local people.