I'm sorry I am not able to communicate with you as often as I would like. Please understand that this is mainly due to the heavy work load of a District Superintendent of Police besides the occasional personal inconvenience common to all human beings.

Recently you have been hearing through the media, both printed as well as visual, that 'goonda' activity in Thrissur is on the increase. I'm sure you all know that 'goonda' activity has been going on for years together here. In fact due to the recent intense police activity it has actually come down somewhat. However since both visual and print media have been regionalised with local editions, city channels etc, more importance is being given to local news. Hence, small incidents that would otherwise go un-noticed tend to be given prominence and are highlighted as sensational occurrences. An example is a recent attack by one person on the shop of his own brother due to financial disputes between them. This incident was described in the media as a 'goonda' attack caused by failure to make the required 'goonda fee'. The local merchants association even conducted a hartal alleging police in-efficiency citing this incident as a goonda activity. How Unfortunate!!!

It is widely known that loan sharks and 'kuri' organizers have been the starting point of goonda activity. These people employ muscle-men to recover money from defaulters. These 'strong-men' subsequently setup their own network of paid anti-social elements who are willing to engage in goonda activities for a fee, on behalf of those who require these services. This has been going on for years here and it is not possible for any agency to eliminate this overnight. Please accept my firm assurance that we are doing our best to rid society of this menace.

Even though merchants complain through the media about increased goonda activity, the police are yet to recieve any specific complaints from any of them in this regard. We are unable to take any action without any written complaint. I would like to inform my viewers that in the rare instances where we have received such complaints, cases have been registered and strong action taken against the culprits.

It is the responsibility of each one of us to think seriously about such matters. Young people are increasingly attracted to such anti-social activities, leading to unfortunate incidents and causing harassment to members of society. This is very serious social problem affecting the entire community. Please do think about this seriously and communicate your views to me.

regards,

G. Janardhanan Nair IPS

Thanks for the responses to the earlier communication. I feel that the young people have to be given an aim or a dream to achieve. They need to be taught about human values. How to put ourselves in our adversaries shoes in a crunchy situation and think what would have been our reaction. They are full of energy. They have to be shown how to channelise their excess energy to their best advantage and also to the best advantage of the society without adversely affecting the community at large.

Our website is assuming new proportions, becoming more people-friendly and more useful. Please be on the lookout, it can be observed very shortly.

You are getting an opportunity to give complaints to your SP in Malayalam. You need not make any special efforts for the same or have special technical upgradation. Just follow the directions given on the website itself to download the necessary software and just type awa y!!

We are also adding tips and advices for different sections of society. This is being done in instalments. The top priority is for children and women. Expect leaflets on this subject shortly. You can take copies of the same and circulate even. That will be a social service. We also aim to print this out and circulate. But you knwo there are definite financial constraints.

We also aim to bring out leaflets on how to prevent vehicle thefts, house thefts, cheating, robbery, etc. Please watch out.

As instructed by our new DGP (Director General of Police), we also propose to have closer contacts with our children with our schools programme. We are chalking out the modalities and programmes and you will be hearing from us shortly.

I sincerely think that these things will make the police force more open, people friendly and closer to our citizens.

G. Janardhanan Nair IPS