Interview with Shripad Kale

“Do not indulge in quarrels but act sensibly.This reduces the burden on the police and it can concentrate on serious matters.”

– Shripad Kale,Sr.PI,Mulund Police Station

Today,Mulund residents are living a calm and peaceful life thanks to Mulund police’s efficiency in maintaining law and order. Due to its sincerity and dedication,Mulundkars feel secure. However,in the recent past,there has been a sudden increase in crimes like molestation,violence amongst the youth, on-line fraud,etc., which has created an atmosphere of fear and panic among the residents.

Besides, Mulundkars are anxious as,during the summer vacation, incidents of house break-ins increase.But,Mulund police has assured Mulundkars to be calm as it has made special arrangements to foil such robbery bids.

Home Times spoke to Mulund Police’s Senior Police Inspector, Shripad Kale, to know more about the security plans of Mulund.

Home Times:Please give us a brief outline about the security plans of Mulund.

Shripad Kale: As regards the security of Mulundkars is concerned,let me inform you that Mulund Police is always on its toes to give the best protection. Though our police station has less number of staff in comparison to the population of Mulund,but with the limited staff we manage the security of Mulund quite commendably.

We have 4 to 5 policemen on wheels who keep an eye on Mulund’s happenings while 2 Beat Marshals roam around,keeping vigilance in every nook and corner of Mulund. Since our policemen are equipped with wireless,we can keep a hawk’s-eye all over Mulund quite efficiently. Our teams of Beat Marshals are deployed 24 hours and they cover every part of Mulund. No sooner we get a report about any untoward incident over the wireless, our team reaches the spot within minutes.

Home Times: How is the relation between Mulund Police and the common man of Mulund? What is the Mulund Police doing to improve relations with Mulundkars?

Shripad Kale: In order to maintain a close relationship with Mulundkars, Mulund Police has organised Shanti Committee, Police Committee,etc., which constantly keep in touch with the citizens. In addition, to prevent molestation and rape incidents,we conduct sexual awareness programmes in schools and colleges through our Police Didi programme. In this,we make girls and boys aware about Good and Bad touch and train them to fight against sexual exploitation.

If there are any big events in the city,then we arrange meetings with the organisers. We listen to their problems and provide them solutions so that the events are held successfully.

Home Times: Beat Chowkis are made according to the areas in Mulund. What are the benefits of Beat Chowkis?

Shripad Kale: Beat Chowkis play a vital role in monitoring the crime in the nooks and corners of Mulund.  At every Beat Chowki there is one Police Inspector, One Assistant Police Inspector,4 Sub-Inspectors and constables who roam around, meet people and maintain public relations.

Home Times: Crimes of robbery and house break-ins have increased in Mulund. What is the police doing to stop this menace?

Shripad Kale: Earlier,there were many cases of chain-snatching in Mulund,but due to increased police patrolling the number of chain- snatchings has decreased. Similarly,there was a peak in criminal activities like thefts from cars when people parked their cars outside D-Mart or posh hotels on Mulund-Goregaon Link Road. But,thanks to intensive patrolling,these cases have declined. Yes, I agree there are instances of bike and auto rickshaw thefts in Mulund. We are keeping a hawk’s- eye and shall soon trap the culprits.

Home Times: How is the relation between Police and BMC? Has there been any difficulty while solving civic problems?

Shripad Kale: Mulund Police has been helping BMC right from the beginning. During action on hawkers we provide complete security to BMC staff. Many times, on holidays, when BMC staff is on leave then Mulund policemen help BMC in their work. Similarly,when BMC goes on demolition drives against illegal constructions,then we provide them a special police protection team.

Home Times: Does the Mulund Police have any special scheme to curb the increasing on-line crime?

Shripad Kale: Mulund police and banks have been creating awareness amongst citizens regarding card cloning. We have been asking citizens to avoid sharing OTP number, PIN details of cards,etc.,with others. In addition,at Mulund Police station we have put up a huge display that guides citizens about various methods to curb on-line theft.

Home Times: What is your Department doing to tackle the menace of drug addiction among the youth?

Shripad Kale: We are keeping a strict vigil on youth addicted to drugs. Last year,we had seized 5 to 7 kgs of ganja. This year,we have seized 30 kgs ganja. In addition,we also conduct counselling of addicted youth and try to rehabilitate them. We also call the parents of such addicted youth and counsel them to develop communication with their children and keep a watch on their movements.

Home Times: During summer vacation there is usually a rise in house-breaks as owners go out for vacation. Is Mulund police ready for this challenge?

Shripad Kale: We have started creating awareness in every housing society to be cautious while leaving for vacation.

As a special step to curb house break-ins, we are integrating the CCTV cameras put outside the main gate of every housing society with our Mulund Police station. Thus,at Mulund Police station,we will also monitor the movements of people outside every housing society. 4-5 housing societies have started integrating their CCTVs with ours.  There are 250 housing societies and we are having talks with every society. Similarly,Mulund Police has asked jewellers to integrate the CCTV of their main gate with Mulund Police Station.

Home Times: What are the reasons behind the rise in cases of molestation in Mulund?

Shripad Kale: Generally,it is observed that close family members are behind instances of molestation. Hence,we have started the Police Didi programme in schools and colleges and through this children are made aware about Good and Bad touch. This makes them aware about the evil intention of culprits and how to escape from them.

Home Times: What is your appeal to Mulundkars?

Shripad Kale: Keeping the security of Mulund in mind, time and again, Mulund police gives guidelines. My earnest appeal to Mulundkars is that they kindly obey these guidelines sincerely.

Secondly,while dealing in society matters or solving SRA projects,do not indulge in quarrels,but act sensibly. This reduces the burden on police and it can concentrate on grave and serious matters.