JNANA BHARATHI:Another initiative to make the city safer for women is caught in a twilight zone. Its been two months since a brand new police station has come up in the sprawling Jnana Bharathi campus which has become a no-go area especially at night, but an official inauguration seems to have eluded it.
The station was conceived to provide safety on campus, a wooded area now home to miscreants. A gang rape of a law student on campus a few years ago was a reason for a police station to be set up here.
The reason for the delay, officials say, is the change in portfolios of the ministers as well as finding an available date for the new home minister G Parameshwar. “But the building will be inaugurated shortly,’’ says Additional Commissioner of Police, Administration, B N S Reddy.
“We have given the land on lease basis nearly a year back and I am unaware of the reason for delay in opening the station” said Vice-Chancellor of Bangalore University B Thimme Gowda.
The campus police station limits covers an area of 32 square kilometers. “The police department wants to create a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere for people. We want people to walk-in without fear and be accessible for anyone” said, Police Inspector H V Paramesh, who is at the Jnana Bharathi police station.
Students hope it will start functioning at the earliest. Sujayeendra a law student at the University Law College in Jnana Bharathi campus said, “the newly built station is easily accessible to common man compared to the previous station which was difficult to locate for many. Better late than never, the station should function at the earliest for the safety of several students on campus.”
Anuradha, a resident on campus, is happy about its location. She said, “As a woman, I feel safer that the new police station is located on the main road rather than in the interiors of the campus. Many of us can take evening walks without fear!” she said.
Meanwhile, local residents hope it will bring more area under its jurisdiction. Abhishek Kumar a resident of Rajarajeshwari Nagar said “Nagadevanahalli, Shirke and Mariyappanapalya are in close proximity to the university campus limits. But in case a resident has to file a complaint, they have to travel to Kumbalgodu police station. These areas should also be included in the limits of Jnana Bharathi campus station.”