Emergency calls to 112 in Karnataka can be anonymous: RTI response
Bengaluru: Individuals reporting emergencies via the 112 helpline in Karnataka can choose to remain anonymous, according to the Bengaluru city police in response to a Right to Information (RTI) query.
The RTI was filed by Dushyant Dubey, activist and founder of Broseph Foundation, a city-based NGO. He stated that they receive several inquiries from citizens regarding the anonymity of complainants when reporting emergencies, so he filed an RTI to seek clarification from the Bengaluru City Police.
As per the response provided by the police, callers can opt to keep their identification anonymous when making a 112 emergency call. To remain anonymous, callers must clearly state, “Please keep my data anonymous” or “I wish to stay anonymous” during the call, the release mentioned.
“It is mandatory for 112 operators to protect the callers’ privacy and mask details when anonymity is requested. If anonymity is not maintained, the caller can escalate the issue during a feedback call after the complaint is closed. They can also provide a one-star rating and raise their concern with the feedback team. These reports are taken up to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the command centre for necessary action,” the release added.
The press release emphasised that this move is a crucial step in ensuring that individuals feel safe and empowered to report emergencies without the fear of their identity being revealed. By allowing anonymity, it encourages more people to come forward and report incidents, ultimately contributing to public safety and security, the release further stated.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengal: On way to PM's rally, 3 mowed down by train amid dense fog
Kolkata (PTI): Three persons died and three others were injured after being hit by a train amid dense fog on Saturday, while travelling to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at Taherpur in West Bengal's Nadia district, a senior official said.
The incident occurred between Taherpur and Badkulla railway stations under the Sealdah-Krishnanagar section of Eastern Railway, he said.
Modi, whose helicopter could not land at Taherpur due to dense fog and low visibility, condoled the death of the “BJP workers” in his virtual address from Kolkata airport.
“I have come to know that some BJP workers, while travelling to the rally, lost their lives in a rail accident. My condolences are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Modi said.
The Eastern Railway official told PTI that the incident occurred in the morning when these people, who were travelling by a bus, had stopped the vehicle and walked to the railway tracks to answer nature's call.
"While three persons died on the spot, two others with injuries were admitted to a local hospital," he said.
Another person with minor injuries was released after having been administered first aid, the official said.
The deceased have been identified as Ramprasad Ghosh (74), Shaktipada Sutradhar (55) and Gopinath Das (38).
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP from Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district, alleged that the BJP ignored the incident and went ahead with the rally.
"Terrible tragedy hushed up at altar of @narendramodi ego. @BJP4India supporters brought from far Murshidabad for PM rally in Ranaghat today," she said in a post on X.
"4 went to answer nature's call and were killed by 31814 down local train near Taherpur. BJP ignored, blacked out & went ahead with rally," Moitra claimed.
Reacting to her remarks, the West Bengal BJP, in a post on X, asserted that the TMC "has always been adept at milking tragedies", and was being "disrespectful to the unfortunate victims of this tragedy".
The TMC alleged that BJP leaders have not shown "neither concern nor compassion" over the mishap.
"The loss of three lives in Taherpur should have united everyone in grief. But @BJP4India leaders showed neither concern nor compassion," it said in another post on X.
"At this painful moment, Smt @MamataOfficial and Shri @abhishekaitc put humanity above party lines and stood beside the families of the deceased," the party said.
TMC’s on-ground leaders promptly reached out to the grieving family members, ensuring them of help and assistance, it said.
"While Delhi’s rulers chase Bengal with arrogance, our leadership chose empathy. This is the difference between politics of power and politics of people!" the TMC added.
