The identities of labourers, vegetable vendors and others were verified by the police at various places in the State capital and those who had not done this yet were given verification forms with an instruction to complete this process within short span of time.
To put check on rising crime cases and restore confidence among Doon residents especially women and senior citizens who live alone, Dehradun Police has conducted verification drives in lakkhibagh, Premnagar, lakshman Chowk, Vasant Vihar, Khurbura, Patelnagar, Dalanwala and Kotwali police station area. Apart from this, police also visited the homes of senior citizens and women who live alone and told them about steps being taken by police for their security. Apart from this, they were given booklet displaying phone numbers of police department. Police assured the senior citizens that police are with them and in case of emergency, they can call the police for necessary help.
Police verified the identities of the residents by conducting door to door campaign in different areas of various police stations and those who had not done this yet were given verification forms with necessary instructions regarding the same. During verification campaign, some dubious persons residing in slum areas of the state capital were also questioned by the police.
Dehradun CO City Harish Chandra Sati said that the during verification campaign, emphasis was laid on slum areas of the city as it has been observed that daily wagers or other labourers conduct recce of vacant homes in the day and commit crimes during night. After committing crime, they escaped from the State capital.
He further said that the home owners who had not verified the identities of their tenants were instructed strictly to complete this process without delay. Some house owners were also issued notices. He said that the police would impose a penalty of `10,000 each on house owners found not doing verification of their tenants. Cantt Police Station in-charge VK Jetha said that following the direction of senior officer, verification drive was conducted at many places in city and other parts of sub urban areas of the State capital. Three residents were issued notices for not verifying their tenants.
Observers point out that though the Dehradun police periodically conduct verification drives, the desired effect has not been achieved so far. Some blame elected public representatives for facilitating homes and necessary documents even for migrant labourers without ascertaining their identity as they are seen as vote banks. Critics also point out that in stead of intensifying patrolling in various areas of the city, the police are now distributing booklets to the people especially those considered to be vulnerable.