Bengaluru: The new Home Minister and senior Congress leader M.B. Patil has got thumbs up from senior IPS officers, who he met on Wednesday for his maiden detailed review of the police department and law and order situation in the state.
"He is a good listener and was very receptive to the officers, who were making the presentations to him. The HM said that he wanted to make a difference and was very keen to improve the lot of the constabulary," said one of the officers, who attended the meeting. "The good thing about him (Mr Patil) is that he is polite, simple and accessible. He wasn't running anyone down," said another officer. "He was very keen to know about the department and sounded inquisitive," added a third officer.
Additional Director General of Police, Crime & Technical Services, Mohammed Saleem, apprised the minister on the crime situation and said that while crime has reduced by 15% in the state, there's a marked spurt in cyber crime, which has increased by 20%. There are 30 cyber crime, economic offences and narcotic drugs police stations in Karnataka.
Besides the constabulary Mr Patil was concerned about the reported increase in cases of drug abuse among young people and college students and sought suggestions from officers on how to control the menace.
The meeting was attended by officers of the rank of ADGPs and DGPs. It was headed by DG&IGP Neelamani N. Raju. The meeting began at 11 am and ended around 2.30pm.
