Police in terrible hurry to vacate Puttanna cinema

Police in terrible hurry to vacate Puttanna cinema
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: For Jayanagar policemen, there’s something not quite right about Puttana Chitramandira.

The cinema’s lounge and free areas were converted into a police station a few months ago, but the men in uniform have been far from comfortable here.

They say three police officials were suspended within a short period, and such a thing had never happened in the history of the Jayanagar police station.

The GMR Group came forward with a proposal to undertake renovation of the Jayanagar police station at Vinayaka Circle, 4th Block. That’s when the police station was shifted temporarily to Puttanna Chitramandira.

It took the policemen some time to adapt to the new environment. There were no basic facilities and the hapless policemen could not even pick up the courage to air their views before the higher authorities.

‘‘Inspector Shankaraiah has been placed under suspension for his alleged involvement in the death of a rowdy”.

“A few weeks ago, a traffic sub-inspector was suspended for allegedly accepting a bribe from an autorickshaw driver”.

“Recently, another inspector received suspension orders for dereliction of duty, but the order was withdrawn later on the recommendation of other officials,’’ says a police official on condition of anonymity.

The renovation of the old police station was completed one month ago. The GMR Group has spent a lot of money on the work. But the higher police authorities are yet to take a decision on when to occupy it.

‘‘We came to know that the chairman of the GMR Group is waiting for an auspicious day. He has spent a lot of money on renovation and he may be planning to organise the inaugural on a grand scale,’’ says a police official.

However, station police officers have already arranged a pooja by a priest, so that the renovated station does not harm their fortunes. ‘‘We have decided to start functioning there with skeletal staff,’’ says the police officer.

Meanwhile, the Bangalore City Corporation is in a hurry to get back the cinema hall from the police, since the State government wants to reserve it exclusively for Kannada films.