New police commissioner of Hubballi-Dharwad Borase Bhushan Gulabrao
A 2009-batch IPS officer, Gulabrao previously served as Belagavi city police commissioner, SP in two districts, SP for cybercrime in CID Karnataka, DCP Bengaluru, and deputy director of SVP National Police Academy, Hyderabad.
After assuming office, Gulabrao said efforts would be made to ensure citizen-centric and people-friendly policing in the twin cities. Calling drug trafficking a global concern, he said police would identify backward and forward linkages to curb the menace. Gulabrao said he would seek feedback from officers and the public to assess the situation before preparing an action plan. Responding to complaints that police were focusing on fining motorists instead of regulating traffic, he said revenue collection was not their objective and there was no target for collecting fines.
Besides preventing and detecting crime, police would prioritise the safety of children and women and strengthen cyber security. Stern action, including invoking COCA and Goonda Act provisions, would be taken against anti-social elements and those distributing ganja and other substances. Measures such as externing goonda elements and holding rowdy parades would continue. However, penalties were necessary for violations. Police should focus on ensuring smooth traffic movement during peak hours. A Belagavi system barring fines during peak hours would also be implemented in Hubballi-Dharwad after a review with officers. He urged motorists to follow traffic rules, maintain lane discipline and exercise self-discipline. An anti-stabbing squad would also be formed to curb stabbing incidents.
Hubballi: Newly appointed Hubballi-Dharwad police commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulabrao on Thursday said tackling narcotics and easing traffic problems would be his top priorities.