Hoysalas to get new lease of life

Hoysalas to get new lease of life
The Times of India

Bangalore:
Hoysalas, 24x7 police patrolling jeeps of the city, are losing their sheen and identity, and require immediate attention, said police commissioner Ajai Kumar Singh on Saturday.

Talking to The Times of India, Singh admitted that Hoysalas require special attention from the police topbrass. “I have discussed ways to improve the condition of Hoysalas with my colleagues and it will be done soon.”

Hoysalas, Bangalore police’s equivalent of New Delhi’s Control Room Vans (CRV), were introduced during the J.H. Patel regime. He allotted 55 jeeps with a brief to contain the crime rate and to perform round-the-clock patrolling across city. Five policemen and an SI were deployed for each Hoysala.

Corporates, banks and resident groups donated some more jeeps, increasing the number to 65. The squad was a big hit on the outskirts and dacoity-prone areas, for they caught hundreds of chainsnatchers and robbers, instilling confidence among citizens.

But in the last three years, their importance has shown a sudden decline, with their number reducing to half. Some in the department say this led to rise in the crime rate.

“It has made the new commissioner make Hoysalas a vibrant force once again,” a DCP said. From now on, Hoysalas will be asked to assemble at a particular grounds in their zone every month and senior officers will check the vehicles to ascertain their condition and fitness, the DCP added.

Apart from Hoysalas, the city police also have twowheeler patrolling service called Cheetahs. Even the performance of Cheetahs will be reviewed regularly, another senior officer said.