Anti-rowdy squad may make a comeback

MYSURU: Nearly two decades after the exclusive Anti-Rowdy Squad formed to tackle rowdyism in Mysuru was dismantled, city police plan are thinking of reviving it to keep tabs on anti-social elements.
Police commissioner AS Rao told TOI, “We plan to set up a 15-member anti-rowdy squad to deal with people create fear in the society. It’s still in the preliminary stage.We’ll take strict action against rowdies.”
Recently, he had claimed police would ensure peace in the city, especially at Paduvarahalli aka Vinayaka Nagar where two listed rowdies were brutally murdered in 2016.
When Kasturi Rangan was police chief in the early 1990s, an anti-rowdy squad was formed to crack down on rowdyism. The special group with officers handpicked by the top cop was formed and the squad members were given a free hand to detain and question miscreants. People involved in violence were blacklisted and were put to work in public places, an officer said.
They were asked to sweep streets, hospitals and bus stands to instil confidence in the public and to send a message that residents needn’t fear them. Their photographs were put up in public places and police stations.
It was around 2000 that the squad was dismantled once rowdies were disciplined. Later, the task was given to City Crime Branch sleuths to keep a tab on rowdies and take action if they were involved in anti-social activities. CCB, the detective arm of city police, functions directly under the city police chief and handles cases given by him. It has the jurisdiction over the entire city. CCB has deputed a few officers to deal with rowdies.
Meanwhile, police are taking measures to make listed rowdies fall in line. Soon, a parade to re-examine activities of rowdies will be conducted and to warn them to stay away from illegal activities, an officer said. Now, the city has more than 700 listed rowdies and last year, 126 people was blacklisted for their involvement in serious and repeat offences.
Though externment is an effective measure to combat criminal activities by keeping ‘dangerous persons’ out of the jurisdiction, police said rowdies have become smart and approach courts, seeking a stay on quasi-judicial orders. Under the provisions of the Karnataka Police Act, trouble-mongers can be kept away from the city for three months or six months so that they don’t create trouble in the neighbourhood.
CCB sleuths monitor the activities of 65 active listed rowdies on a regular basis. They’re summoned to the police station or visit their homes to check what they’re doing. An officer claimed that after murders in Paduvarahalli, CCB officer are keeping an eye on some persons and the listed rowdies as a precautionary measure. Only those who show good behaviour, remain inactive for long, ill-health or old age are taken off the list.