Mumbai police commissioner Dr Satyapal Singh was overwhelmed by a volley of complaints made by a 83-year-old, while ten others stayed silent during this week’s Grievance Redressal Day (GRD) meet at the LT Marg police station near St. Xavier’s college in south Mumbai on Saturday morning. Dr Singh directed his subordinates to take stringent action on his pleas. However, the commissioner rejected the senior citizen’s last request to get an identification card from the police for his work.
Ramesh Samel, who has been a part of the Police Mohalla Committee for nearly two decades, was the centre of attention with his complaints ranging from traffic issues like rash and negligent driving to moral policing like obscenity in public places. “There are bikers who drive in the opposite direction on a one-way street. A garden in our area which is frequented by senior citizens on evening walks are now filled with couples who engage in obscene activities after 7 pm. ”
After listening to Mr Samel’s complaints, Dr Singh ordered traffic police inspector Anil Madvi to crack down on speeding bikers for the next two weeks. “Take stringent action against speeding bikers and book them under all the relevant sections of the IPC and the Motor Vehicles Act,” Dr Singh directed.
On Mr Samel’s suggestion, Dr Singh asked his subordinates in LT Marg to revive the “eagle brigade” where people volunteer for policing work. However, his last request to get the brigade identity cards from the police was turned down by Dr Singh, who cited its frequent misuse.
Among other complainants, a former drug addict alleged that the Pydhonie police shooed him away when he went to register a case of assault and robbery against three men. The man claimed that he was taking drugs for 20 years, but was rehabilitated five years ago. Yet, the police mistreated him. Mr Singh promised him that an explanation would be sought from the Pydhonie police over this issue.