Alarmed over rape and molestation attempts by outsiders happening in the district thick and fast, police launched a special verification drive of the outsiders and those living on rent in three important towns of the district- Pauri, Kotdwar and Srinagar -on Wednesday. The drive was launched on the direction of the senior superintendent of police Jagat Ram Joshi, said police. Police further said that in course of the drive launched, 234 challans worth Rs 22 lakh were slapped on the errant in Kotdwar, Pauri and Srinagar. It is learnt that the drive would soon be launched across the district in the coming days, given the spike in the crimes committed particularly on the women and the minors.
While taking to the media persons in the district police headquarters on Wednesday, SSP Joshi said that the special verification drive was conducted in Pauri, Kotdwar and Srinagar in the first phase from 7 am to 9.30 am on Wednesday. “During the drive, while 114 challans were slapped in Kotdwar, the figures are 83 and 37 for Srinagar and Pauri respectively. Our focus was on the outsiders and those living on rent. The challans were slapped on the house owners who failed to submit the verification statements of their tenants to the local police stations. We have identified 100 such house owners who are residing outside the district. Notices would be served to them soon. While challans worth Rs 11, 400, 00 have been issued in Kotdwar the figures are Rs 8,30, 000 for Srinagar and Rs 3, 70,000 for Pauri. The special verification drive would continue and those found on the wrong side of the law would be dealt with sternly,” he said.
He further said that 11 high power CCTV cameras have been installed in Pauri and they would be controlled from the police stations. “All the hotels and wedding points must install CCTV cameras. If they fail to act as directed action would be taken against them. Besides, police would provide ID cards to all the hawkers, Pherriwalas and taxi drivers shortly after verifying their identities,” SSP said.