Mangalore : Speaking at SC/ST monthly meeting Police Commissioner R Hitendra said in Mangalore on Sunday, the Mangalore police commissionerate has been facing acute staff shortage, as no recruitment were made after the formation of the commissionerate. 

Of the 1,750 sanctioned posts, 800 posts remain vacant, the government now initiating the recruitment process, the problem is likely to be addressed to certain extent in next few months, he said.

Though the vacant inspectors posts could be managed, what has been hampering the work is 360 vacancies of police constables.

The process of recruitment has commenced and the first batch of 200 personnel will be recruited by December and another batch will be recruited by March.

“The recruitment is likely to improve the scenario in the commissionerate. There is lack of response from the youth for the posts of home guards too. The commissionerate has only 80 home guards as against the allotted 500 posts,” he said.

Taking on the organisers of Vishwa Tuluvere Parba scheduled for December, Dalit activist Narayana Punchame has requested the police to ensure that the organisers of the programme do not insult Dalit community in any manner.

He said he has received information about the organisers planning to exhibit Dalit dance and songs during the programme, which would insult the community.

In the tulu convention to be held at Sahyadri College, it has been planned to make a group to wear Dalit traditional costumes and exhibit the dance and songs which are part of Dalit tradition. This should not be allowed, he said.

In reply, Police Commissioner directed the Mangalore South ACP to issue a notice to the organisers directing them not to violate any laws pertaining to the SC ST community.