Mangaluru : If the general public find instances of the police not being courteous to them, they should introspect and realise that police in the district work under immense stress and large resource scarcity, said Superintendent of Police Sharanappa S.D.

Responding to complaints of poor conduct by the police on the road and at police stations during an interaction programme here on Thursday, Mr. Sharanappa said there was strong need to introspect and find the ground reality of the working of police. He said as per the norms of the United Nations policing will be ideal if the number of policemen would be at 850 for every 1 lakh population. In Dakshina Kannada, the number of policemen was as 55 for every 1 lakh population. The number of policemen was at 130 and 140 for one lakh population in the State and the country respectively. “With this limited number of policemen it was difficult to provide security to such a huge population. “If we ask for closure of shops (during law and order problems) we are being blamed. Can we protect people with 570 policemen?” asked Mr. Sharanappa. He was referring to the closure of shops and business establishments last month, following clashes in Bantwal. Despite all problems, the police in the district were striving hard to maintain peace. “I feel proud to be in this organisation that is working towards providing justice for people,’ he said.

He asked youngsters not to heed to misguided suggestions and talks that create discord among communities. He also asked people not to get carried away by messages on the social networking medium that creates communal hatred. “It will be of great help if you do not forward such messages,” he said. The interaction with students and others was part of valedictory of the Maanavatha Milan programme organised by Citizens’ Forum for Mangalore Development.