Mysore/Mysuru: The Mysuru City Police conducted a surprise raid at the high-security Mysuru Central Prisons yesterday, seizing SIM cards, two knives, mobile phone chargers and some money from certain inmates. Notably, no lethal weapons or drugs were recovered during this operation like in previous raids.

Following an order from the City Police Commissioner Ramesh Banoth and DCPs M. Muthuraj (Law and Order) and S. Jahnavi (Crime and Traffic), ACPs Shanthamallappa from Devaraja Subdivision, Gajendra Prasad from Vijayanagar Sub-division, Sudhakar from Narasimharaja Sub-division, Ramesh Kumar from Krishnaraja and City Armed Reserve ACP Jayaramu raided the jail premises in five teams.

The ACPs were joined by Police Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors and operatives from the Commando Force and Dog Squad teams during the raid. Every barrack and individual living quarters were meticulously searched, with even beds and clothing inspected. Following a comprehensive search effort, the teams successfully confiscated SIM cards, a knife, mobile phone chargers, and a quantity of money from the inmates. The finding of SIM cards within the jail barracks has raised significant concerns, particularly because prisons are designed to isolate inmates from external communication. This is especially worrisome given the presence of many anti-social elements within the prison population.

The troubling revelations from the Mysuru Central Prisons indicate that certain inmates have been involved in illicit dealings with criminals outside, despite the stringent security measures in place.

In response, Police teams are actively tracing the phone numbers associated with the seized SIM cards. Officers said that the presence of SIM cards and mobile phone chargers implies the existence of mobile phones either concealed by prisoners, evading detection during the check, or potentially destroyed before the inspection teams arrived at the barracks.

Seizures necessitate stringent measures

Security arrangements in the jail remain a pressing concern, highlighted by the seizure of SIM cards and mobile phone chargers believed to have facilitated communication with external gangs and their affiliates. This underscores the urgent need for a foolproof mechanism to prevent such incidents.

Given that the Mysuru Central Prisons accommodates gangsters and hardened criminals, the use of phones for illicit activities such as drug trafficking, extortion and inciting unrest is widespread. Monitoring the sale of SIM cards to inmates and launching investigations into their accessibility and the identity of suppliers is imperative, including probing potential insider involvement.

Continuous monitoring of security personnel is essential to root out collusion with prisoners. The confiscation of these items within the jail premises underlines the necessity for a comprehensive overhaul of the security system, leveraging technology.

‘Case will be booked’

A probe has been ordered to know how these SIM cards reached inside the high-security prison and who was using them. A case will be registered in this regard and the jail inmates will be questioned. We have also recovered two small knives from a bathroom. But lethal weapons and drugs have not been recovered. —Ramesh Banoth City Police Commissioner

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Two fatal accidents caused by unscientific road humps laid on Bogadi Main Road; White stripes painted too late; Visibility still an issue

Mysore/Mysuru: In a clear case of official apathy, two innocent youths died after riding over unscientific road humps that surfaced overnight on Bogadi Main Road in the city.

Yashwanth (27), son of Rajendra Prasad, a resident of Maratikyathanahalli in Mysuru Taluk and Kumar of Krishnayyanahundi, H.D. Kote Taluk, are the deceased youths. While two other youths Duggesh and Shivam, who had suffered grievous injuries in separate accidents caused due to the same road humps, are undergoing treatment at a hospital. They are recuperating and stated to be out of danger.

Authorities of Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Zone-4 Office laid the road humps between Kukkarahalli Lake Junction and All India Institute of Speech and Hearing  (AIISH) Junction on Bogadi Road. However, in the separate accidents involving a two-wheeler and three-wheeler, two youths had to pay with their lives for the callousness of officials, while two others sustained injuries.

Yashwanth was riding his two-wheeler towards AIISH Junction from Kukkarahalli Lake side on Sunday at about 2 am, when he lost control of his vehicle after riding over the hump in front of Kuvempu Statue Gate, the main entrance of Manasagangothri campus of University of Mysore.

He had sustained severe head injuries and was rushed to K.R. Hospital before being shifted to JSS Hospital on M.G. Road, where he died on Monday (yesterday), according to Krishnaraja Traffic Police.

In another case, Kumar and Duggesh from H.D. Kote were critically injured, when a goods autorickshaw they were travelling in drove over the hump winding down near AIISH Junction on Sunday night at about 11.30 and rammed a car coming in the opposite direction, before turning turtle on the road. Both had been admitted to K.R. Hospital, where Kumar succumbed in the early hours of Monday.

Kumar was a vegetable vendor who was supplying vegetables to hotels in the city. He was seated alongside Duggesh, the goods auto driver in the cabin when the accident occurred.

In yet another incident, Shivam from Virajpet, residing at Saraswathipuram sustained injuries after he fell from his two-wheeler, while negotiating the road hump near AIISH on Sunday at about 6.30 am. He was rushed to Kamakshi Hospital in Saraswathipuram, before shifting him to JSS Hospital for further treatment. K.R. Traffic Police Inspector M. Irshad is investigating the cases.

Punishment & compensation

Under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code, “Whoever causes the death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide, shall be punished with imprisonment of two years, or with fine, or with both.”

On May 21, 2015, Mumbai High Court, in an interim order, held that “right to have properly maintained roads is part of the fundamental right guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution of India and in the event, any loss caused due to its violation, citizens have a right to seek compensation.” But alas, who cares?

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Mysore/Mysuru: Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP – Crime and Traffic) S. Jahnavi has affirmed that legal action will be taken against Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) officials responsible for installing road humps without obtaining necessary permissions. This negligence led to tragic consequences, claiming two lives on Bogadi Main Road.

The road humps suddenly appeared on the main road segment between Kukkarahalli Lake and AIISH Junctions, lacking the essential white markings and warning signboards. Numerous accidents were reported within a 24-hour period over the weekend, resulting in two fatalities and injuries to several motorcyclists.

The authorities are now taking steps to address the repercussions of this oversight and hold accountable those responsible for the unsafe road conditions. Standard protocol mandates obtaining permission from competent authorities before installing speed humps to regulate vehicle speed. However, the MCC acted hastily, implementing unscientific road humps that proved to be perilous.

ACP (Traffic) Parashuramappa informed Star of Mysore, “If road humps are to be installed within the City Police limits, we must be notified to ensure compliance with safety parameters. Regrettably, the road humps on Bogadi Main Road were installed without informing us, leading to multiple accidents.”

When contacted, Y.T. Hegananda, Development Officer of MCC Zone-4 Office said, “The Police had written to us to lay the road humps on Bogadi Main Road and SJCE Main Road to cut down the speed of vehicles. Even the Vice-Chancellor of University of Mysore had issued oral instructions on                                  the same lines.”

“The MCC took up the works, but left without painting the white stripes (zebra stripes) for a day. However, the barricades had been put up near those humps, only to be ignored by vehicle riders, ending up in accidents,” he added, shifting the blame on the motorists.

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BNPM provides Rs. 64 lakh funds under CSR; Archaeology Department renovates structure and hands it back to Police Department

Mysore/Mysuru: The renovated Band House at Nazarbad in the city was handed back to the Police Department on Thursday.

The Band House, which is over a century old heritage structure, was renovated under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds of Rs. 64 lakh by Bank Note Paper Mill India Private Limited (BNPM). The works were executed by Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, without compromising on the heritage significance of the building that previously housed City Police Commissioner’s Office, before it was shifted to the new building.

Managing Director of BNPM S. Thalikerappa formally handed over the building to City Police Commissioner B. Ramesh.

In his address, Thalikerappa said “I am grateful to the Police Department for giving an opportunity to renovate the building to conserve good old musical instruments of princely era, with the building also having its roots in Wadiyars (the erstwhile rulers of Mysore). BNPM always extends its cooperation towards the development works of society.”

City Top Cop Ramesh said “I am happy to note that the renovation works of Band House that was taken up during the tenure of my predecessor Dr. Chandragupta was completed and received during my tenure. In the coming days, we will convert it into a museum to preserve old musical instruments of Palace Band and those of Police Band including drums, flutes, pianos, saxophones and other instruments, along with a library of musical notations composed by renowned  composers from across the world and exhibit them for the benefit of general public and tourists.”

It will also depict the legacy of Karnataka Police Department, history, landmark occasions, personalities, contributions, he said adding that the museum is expected to be ready in six months with funds sought from State Government in its forthcoming budget and also under CSR from private parties.

Explaining the distinct features of the building, Commissioner of Archaeology Department A. Devaraju said “It is originally built in English style on a 9,000 square feet (150 ftx80 ft) area. The main rooms have a high gable roof with dormer windows. The rooms are surrounded by verandahs with lean to roof on wooden posts, with Mangalore tile pitched roof. However, the roof had got damaged over a period of years.”

K. Dharani Kumar, General Manager (F and A), BNPM, Anant Hegde, General Manager (Technical), BNPM, Abhay Kumar Mahapatro, General Manager (HR and Admin), Lakshmish Bai, Company Secretary and S.A. Raghavendra, Manager (Civil) were present.

DCP (Law and Order) M. Muthuraj, DCP (Crime and Traffic) S. Jahnavi, DCP (CAR) Maruthi, Mounted Police Commandant V. Shylendra, ACP (Palace) Chandrashekar,  ACP (Traffic) H. Parashuramappa and ACPs G.S. Gajendra Prasad, Shanthamallappa, C.K. Ashwath Narayan and S.N. Sandesh Kumar, Dy. Director of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage Department Manjula and others were present.

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Mysore/Mysuru: In the wake of consecration of the Ram Lalla idol at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, additional Police forces have been deployed in the city to maintain vigilant oversight and prevent any untoward incidents.

In compliance with instructions from the Director General and Inspector General of Police to all Police chiefs in the State, additional Police personnel from the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), City Armed Reserve (CAR) Police and the city’s Civil and Traffic Police have been stationed across the city. Sensitive areas such as Udayagiri, Kyathamaranahalli, Mandi Mohalla, Gayathripuram, NR Mohalla, and other critical locations have received heightened security.

Additional Police presence is also noticeable at crowded places like bus stands, railway stations, in and around Mysore Palace, K.R. Circle, etc. DCP (Law and Order) M. Muthuraj is personally overseeing the security arrangements. No untoward incidents have been reported from across the city.

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No permission for processions today, tomorrow: Police Commissioner 

Mysore/Mysuru: In light of the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Mysuru City Police have implemented comprehensive security measures to ensure the prevention of any untoward incidents. Security measures are already in place and will continue till the morning of Jan. 23.

As a first step, the Police have denied permission to hold processions today and tomorrow and have launched intensive checking of vehicles entering and exiting the city limits.

Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, City Police Commissioner Ramesh Banoth said that the Police would not permit any kinds of processions and marches to ensure peace.

“There is no permission for any organisation or group to take out any procession today and tomorrow in the city, in view of law and order. Checking and stringent measures will continue till the morning of Jan. 23,” Ramesh added.

“We have identified places within the Mysuru City Police Commissionerate limits, where pujas and religious functions are planned and we will provide security. In addition, security will be provided to all places of worship including temples, churches and mosques,” he said. 

Dedicated Police teams from jurisdictional stations are checking hotels and other accommodations to detect any suspicious persons staying. Guest lists are being scanned and their information is being tracked. We have also asked hotel managements to keep an eye on casual visitors through CCTV cameras,” the Commissioner added. 

Officers and staff have been deployed at sensitive places/picketing points within the city limits, operating both during the day and night and vehicles like Garuda, Cheetah and Chamundi Pade have been assigned to continuously patrol the city, promptly responding to any events. Checkpoints have been established to ensure monitoring and control, he said. 

Both City and District Police have also decided to put rowdy elements into preventive custody to ensure peaceful celebrations of Ram Temple consecration across the city. The security arrangements are being monitored by DCP (Law and Order) M. Muthuraj while Additional SP N. Nandini will be in-charge of security arrangements in the district.

While City Police have been vigilant in sensitive areas of the city, they have also deployed additional security atop Chamundi Hill, Mysore Palace, Sri Rama Mandiras and Anjaneyaswamy Temples. 

Meanwhile, the District police will closely watch movements in Hunsur, K.R. Nagar and Periyapatna which are listed as sensitive areas in the district.

The Police will also check vehicles moving into the district and city at various check posts. This apart, the highway patrolling units have also been instructed to keep a vigil on vehicle movements on the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway. 

City Police personnel including Police Inspectors and ACPs have also been instructed to visit various lodges in the city to keep track on the visitors. Mysuru SP Seema Latkar will be visiting various parts of the district to inspect the security arrangements while City Police Commissioner Ramesh Banoth, DCP Muthuraj and DCP (Crime and Traffic) S. Jahnavi will participate in city rounds.

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Warning to auto consultants and workshops

Mysore/Mysuru: The City Police is gearing up to crackdown on encroachments of footpaths and areas adjacent to roads, especially by auto consultants and auto workshops. These encroachments have inconvenienced residents, commuters and pedestrians, prompting the Police to take decisive measures.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Crime and Traffic, S. Jahnavi stated that efforts are underway to curb this menace and address the long-standing problem faced by the community.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, the DCP mentioned that immediate action will be taken against auto consultants found illegally parking their cars on the roadside and footpaths. The same applies to auto workshop owners. She emphasised that such encroachments are clear violations of traffic rules, advising auto consultants to use their designated lots for parking instead of illegally occupying road and footpath spaces.

“In response to such violations, notices will be issued to offending auto consultants and automobile repair workshop and stringent legal measures will be taken to address the issue,” she added.

It has been observed that auto workshops, auto consultants and second-hand car showrooms are utilising footpaths as extended spaces for business activities and for parking vehicles meant for sale or repair. Jahnavi stated, “We will identify stretches where such encroachments are taking place and action will be taken against automobile enterprises using public spaces for parking, causing a nuisance and obstruction to smooth driving on the road.”

Commuters and pedestrians have raised concerns about these illegal auto enterprises occupying stretches in front of their shops, leading to double parking and traffic congestion. Many tax-payers are asking whether the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has leased or rented its roads and footpaths for commercial purposes.

Residents point out that while the Traffic Police are imposing penalties on citizens for roadside parking, they appear to turn a blind eye to the numerous vehicles parked on roads and footpaths. If the citizens park their vehicles by the roadsides for a few minutes, the Police tow away the vehicles, they said.

Throughout the city, this menace of parking on roads is seen. Other commercial entities operating in the vicinity of these auto consultants express their frustration at the difficulty of moving around the city due to the occupied roads and footpaths. This raises questions about whether the MCC has leased or rented out the city’s roads and footpaths to private agencies.

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Mysore/Mysuru: The Mysuru City Police, as part of National Road Safety Week-2024, took out a bike rally to create awareness on traffic rules and regulations in the city yesterday evening.

The awareness rally comprising about 500 Police personnel on two-wheelers was flagged off in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Mysore Palace North Gate by DCPs M. Muthuraj and S. Jahnavi, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) H. Parashuramappa, Vijayanagar Sub-Division ACP Gajendra Prasad and NR Sub-Division ACP C.K. Ashwathnarayan.

The rally passed via Chamaraja Wadiyar Circle, Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Circle (Hardinge Circle), Rajendra Circle (Gun House Circle), Basaveshwara Circle, Ramaswamy Circle, Ekalavya Circle, Kautilya Circle, Hunsur Road, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Circle (Metropole Hotel junction), Dasappa Circle, Babu Jagivan Ram Circle near Railway Station, J.K. Grounds, Government Ayurveda College and Hospital Circle, Nehru Circle and Ashoka Road before concluding near Town Hall.

Earlier, handbills containing traffic rules and regulations to be followed was released and 79-year-old Maheshwar, who is voluntarily serving as a Traffic Warden since three decades was felicitated on the occasion.

Later, a short film on the dangers and accidents caused due to violation of traffic rules was screened on a LED screen.

DCP (Law and Order) M. Muthuraj, speaking on the occasion said that it is very much necessary to follow traffic rules for the safety of life. Stating that the family will be orphaned if a family member loses life in an accident for not following the traffic rules, he said that one will regret his/her entire life if they become disabled. He also advised parents to wear helmet while riding two-wheeler.

DCP (Crime and Traffic) S. Jahnavi said “Life and livelihood is very important and hence it is vital to follow traffic rules for one’s safety. The rash and negligent riding and driving is the major cause for accidents.”

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Mysore/Mysuru: Hundreds of school and college students took out a jatha (rally) in city this morning to create awareness on the ill-effects of taking drugs. Police above the rank of Sub-Inspectors including all Inspectors, Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) too joined the four-and-a-half kilometre rally.

The awareness rally was jointly organised by Mysuru City Police, City Crime Branch (CCB), Manipal Hospital, Mysuru Hotel Owners Association, Red FM 93.5 and CISPMAM (CBSE, ICSE & State Board Private School Managements Association), Mysuru.

City Police Commissioner B. Ramesh launched the rally from Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Palace North Gate, by signing the pledge board saying NO to drugs and waving a green flag.

The awareness rally passed through Hardinge Circle, Gun House Circle, Sanskrit Pathashala, Sayyaji Rao Road, K.R. Circle, Government Ayurveda Circle, Irwin Road, Nehru Circle, Ashoka Road, Clock Tower and culminated at Dr. Rajkumar Park near Palace where breakfast was arranged for all participants.

DCP (Crime and Traffic) S. Jahnavi,  DCP (Law and Order) M. Muthuraj, Dr. Upendra Shenoy and staff of Manipal Hospital, Raghav and RJ Rajalakshmi of Red FM 93.5, C. Narayanagowda of Mysuru Hotel Owners Association, Venkatesh of CISPMAM, Manjunath Srivatsa from Sharada Public School, senior citizens Dr. Ramesh and ex-serviceman Ramesh and friends too joined the rally along with over 200 students from Sharada Public School, Police Public School, Pragathi School and Seshadripuram College.

Speaking at the launch, City Police Commissioner B. Ramesh said, “Youths were becoming victims of drug addiction. This will have a bad impact on the society. It will affect one’s health and life as a whole. Hence, awareness should be created among the public, especially youths, about the harmful effects of drugs.”

Dr. Shenoy said once the drug enters our nervous system, it cannot be removed. This will not only affect the physical health but also mental health of a person and hence, society should be careful, he added.

Hotelier Narayanagowda assured of full support from the Association to these kinds of awareness programmes.

Venkatesh of CISPMAM too said that the message of this programme will be carried forward to all the schools and colleges coming under CISPMAM.

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Two pink vehicles to patrol areas around colleges, pg accommodations, garment factories

Mysore/Mysuru: With the rise in crimes against children and women, the City Police launched Chamundi Mahila Suraksha Pade, a dedicated squad for the safety and security of children and women in the city this morning.

City Police Commissioner B. Ramesh flagged off the pink patrolling vehicles along with the jatha to mark the new initiative in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple here along with DCP (Crime and Traffic) S. Jahnavi, ACPs of all the four sub-divisions — Devaraja, Krishnaraja, Narasimharaja and Vijayanagar, Traffic Division and Inspectors of all the Police Stations.

During the recent New Year eve, Chamundi squad comprising women Police had been                          deputed on patrolling in city, on a pilot basis.

City Police Chief Ramesh said the Women’s Safety Squad comprising two Pink vehicles will be patrolling around Women’s Colleges, Paying Guest (PG) accommodations, garment factories and other places where women are present in large numbers. Barring the male driver, the patrolling team includes one woman ASI, Head Constable (HC) or Police Constable (PC).

A total of 40 women Police personnel including 16 Women PSIs, 4 Women ASIs and 20 Women Head Constables and Women Police Constables are deployed for this squad. They will be working in two shifts from 8 am to 2 pm and 2 pm to 8 pm, he said.

For now, two vehicles have been allotted with one vehicle for two sub-divisions totalling two vehicles for four sub-divisions. In the coming days, more number of vehicles will be allotted and be used for night patrolling too, he added. The girl students from various Colleges of the city took part in a procession organised as part of the launch of the squad up to Maharaja’s College near old DC’s Office.

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