Bengaluru: In a determined bid to quell the escalating instances of road rage within Bengaluru’s bustling streets, Police Commissioner B. Dayananda has asserted an unwavering resolve to tackle such incidents head-on. The commissioner recently interacted with citizens for an hour on the social media platform ‘X’, shedding light on the city’s ongoing strategies to combat road rage and other law enforcement issues.
Organised under the banner of an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) campaign by the Bengaluru City Police on ‘X’, Commissioner B. Dayananda lent his insights and perspectives to netizens for a dedicated hour. This interactive session, held from 12.00 pm to 1.00 pm on August 19, provided citizens with a unique opportunity to directly voice their queries and concerns to the Police Commissioner. The campaign encouraged participants to utilise the hashtag #AMAWITHBCP to actively contribute to the ongoing conversation.
Recent attention has been focused on road rage incidents, with several of them gaining traction through social media platforms. ‘ThirdEye’, an ‘X’ account, has notably been sharing dashboard camera footage as evidence, documenting road rage episodes in Bengaluru.
Commissioner Dayananda utilised the ‘X’ platform to underscore the resolute stance that the police force has adopted against unruly behavior on the roads. He affirmed, “Wherever these incidents are reported, the police have acted swiftly to identify the cases and apprehend the culprits.” He further disclosed that stringent measures, including the initiation of “rowdy sheets” for individuals involved in road rage and hooliganism, are being taken to closely monitor their activities.
With unwavering clarity, he emphasised, “Bengaluru City has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for road rage incidents. I urge citizens to dial #Namma112 if they find themselves in such situations. Rest assured, we are just a call away.”
Moreover, Dayananda acknowledged concerns about moral policing, both by autorickshaw drivers and activists. He clarified that such actions are contrary to the law, urging citizens to promptly report any such incidents to the police.
Regarding the proliferation of misleading information and provocative content on social media, the Commissioner detailed that dedicated teams within the police department are actively monitoring online platforms and taking appropriate actions against those responsible for spreading false news. He encouraged citizens to forward any dubious content to the designated handle for fact-checking.
The conversation extended beyond road rage to various facets of urban living, including the persistent issue of footpath encroachments plaguing the city. Commissioner Dayananda conceded that these encroachments pose an ongoing challenge to pedestrian mobility and safety. He revealed collaborative efforts with civic agencies and frequent drives to rectify encroachments, reaffirming his commitment to finding sustainable solutions.
Concluding the discourse on a positive note, Dayananda extended an open invitation to citizens to meet him with their concerns on any business day between 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm at his office on Infantry Road. This gesture highlights a transparent and accessible approach to community engagement.
As the virtual interaction came to a close, the Bengaluru City Police expressed their gratitude for the engagement and pledged to continue fostering meaningful dialogues with the enlightened citizenry of the city. With a focus on strengthening policing through well-informed collaborations, the police force reiterated its dedication to addressing citizen concerns.