Karnataka

Sad state of High Grounds police station

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HIGHGROUNDS

Though located in a so-called posh area, it is plagued by leaky roofs, lack of toilet and even cells

High Grounds police station has always been a very high-profile police station. The station located on Millers Road, a busy commercial hub, however, is a study in contrast to its surroundings. An old residential tiled structure converted into a police station, the station is plagued by issues like leaking roofs, lack of toilet and even cell facilities.

Earlier, the police station was operating in a temporary tin shed on Race Course Road. It was shifted to the present building 18 months ago. While most police stations in the city are getting a facelift and new buildings, High Grounds station is nowhere on that list.

An officer said that there is single toilet for the entire station. That too is attached to the inspector’s chamber. “Constables and women staff find it very difficult to use the toilet,” he said. Police, detainees and even the public are forced to use the same toilet, which lacks a separate access.

The record-keeping in the station is also under serious threat due to leaking roofs. More serious issue is that there are no proper cell facilities in the station to keep detainees. They are usually locked up in temporary tin sheds behind the station.

Though the current building belongs to the police department, the land on which it stands belongs to Sampangairama Swamy temple, administered by the Muzrai department. “This has hindered the police from going ahead with revamping the premises,” an officer said.

Home Minister K J George recently visited the police station. He said that the government is aware of the poor conditions of the station and is on the look out for an empty piece of land in the densely developed area. Sources say that the city police commissioner recently chaired a meet in this connection and has written to the State government to resolve the issue with the Muzrai department and get the land on which the police building presently stands for the police department.

“We have identified a piece of government land opposite the race course that is presently a parking lot. The location is also ideal as this would be almost at the centre of High Grounds jurisdiction,” he said.

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