The ‘Mane Manege Police’ (Police to Every Home), a new initiative to establish people-friendly policing, was launched in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district on Thursday.

District and Sessions Judge Manjunath Nayak launched the initiative by lighting a lamp in a programme held at Ramanna Shreshthi Park in the city. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nayak told the police staff to listen to people’s problems in a cordial manner and address them effectively. The public should also cooperate with the police to make the programme a success, he said.

A good relationship between the police and the public, he said, was essential in ensuring harmony in society. “Normally, people do not wish to visit a police station, nor do they expect the police to visit them at home. The government has launched this initiative to make the police administration people-friendly. I appreciate the Home Department for this programme,” he said.

The judge said it would be better if the police chose not to wear uniforms when they visit homes, and take children into confidence during the interaction. He also suggested the public to follow the suggestions of the police.

Superintendent of Police G.K. Mithun Kumar said that the public continued to possess fear about the police because of the measures the police resorted to in order to control the public during the freedom movement. “The people still consider police as a legacy of the British. The State government has launched the initiative to clear this notion. Besides that, the people have misconceptions about the police after watching cinemas and serials. I hope this initiative will ensure a good relationship between the police and the people,” he opined.

He appealed to the public to share whatever problems they faced with the police during their visit. “We will make honest efforts to resolve them,” he stated.

Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Bhoomaredd and other officers were present.