Visakhapatnam: The city residents can now lodge their complaints through social messaging application WhatsApp, after the facility was launched by Visakhapatnam Rural Police on Wednesday.
DIG, Visakha Range, Ch Srikanth on Wednesday launched the Rural Police WhatsApp number - 8142003339.
Srikanth expressed hope the facility would give a major boost to rural policing with regard to gathering information, especially on eve-teasing, gambling, anti-social activities, ragging, snatching, property offences, and other crimes.
He clarified the WhatsApp account is not a platform to register FIR but it's only for quick response to people facing problem anywhere in the district. Anyone creating nuisance by misusing the number would face necessary action, police said.
Superintendent of Police (Visakha Rural) Rahul Dev Sharma will be the 'admin' for the account and it will be monitored round the clock by a group of trained policemen, they said.
"Soon after receiving complaints, policemen will alert the police officer concerned to respond to the complaint within 15 to 30 minutes. If it is cognisable offence, the police will visit the house of the complainant to register FIR," Srikanth added.
