Rabita Society delegation discusses Bhatkal's civic, development and law-and-order issues with officials

Bhatkal: A delegation of Rabita Society met Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner Lakshmipriya, Assistant Commissioner Sajid Mulla and Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. on Wednesday and discussed various public, development, administrative and law-and-order issues concerning Bhatkal.

The delegation was led by Rabita Society president Misbah Umar Farooq and general secretary Dr Atiqur Rahman Muniri.

During the meeting with Deputy Commissioner Lakshmipriya, the delegation raised several development issues in Bhatkal, including the difficulties being faced by the public due to the ongoing NH-66 project.

The Deputy Commissioner said the deadline for completing the NH-66 works had been extended by another eight months. The delegation urged the authorities to complete the work at the earliest and also highlighted traffic congestion, public safety concerns and difficulties faced by commuters.

The delegation also brought the problems related to Bhatkal's underground drainage (UGD) project to the Deputy Commissioner's attention.

The discussions covered drainage works, water flow and other difficulties faced by residents. The delegation said a technical report on the UGD project had been submitted around four years ago following an expert inspection, but no progress had been made since then.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned authorities to submit the report again and assured the delegation that the issue would receive special attention.

The delegation also met Assistant Commissioner Sajid Mulla and discussed various issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

The delegation brought to his notice the problems faced by the public during the SIR process and sought necessary clarifications. The Rabita Society members also presented mementos to the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner.

During the meeting with SP Deepan M.N., the delegation discussed law-and-order issues in Bhatkal, illegal shops and encroachments along the highway, and the growing use of drugs among young people.

The delegation urged the police department to take more effective steps to control drug abuse and called for continuous monitoring and awareness programmes to protect young people from its harmful effects.

SP Deepan said the police department was conducting continuous operations against drugs and taking necessary surveillance and legal action.

He also stressed the need to further strengthen relations between the police and the public. He said suggestions from Rabita Society in this regard would be seriously considered and efforts would be made to implement them wherever possible.

The SP urged the public to call 112 in case of an emergency or when immediate police assistance is required.

Rabita Society president Musba Farooq and general secretary Atiqur Rahman Muniri presented a memento to the SP.

The delegation included Jailani Mohtisham, Maulana Sabir Ali Akbara, Aftab M.J., Yasin Askari, Maulana Abdul Azeem Ruknuddin, Athar Peerzada, Hashim Muallim, Nisar M.J., Habibullah Mohtesham and Abdussami Kola.