Udupi: K T Balakrishna, an IPS officer of the 2006 batch took charge as the new SP of Udupi district, on Thursday, August 11.

The post was lying vacant after SP Annamalai was transferred to Chikkamagaluru and Additional SP Vishnuwardhan was given the charge thereafter.

With Bhasker Shetty murder case leaving the police department high and dry, many were of the opinion that absence of an SP was affecting the case and with Balakrishna assuming charge, the case is expected to steer on right direction.

Speaking to reporters, the new SP said that he is aware of the case through the extensive media coverage and that he will chalk out plans after holding discussions with the officials concerned.

However, answering a query on distrust that has already gripped people about the police in this particular case, the SP said that people need not lose trust on the police. “We will do all that is needed to ensure that guilty is punished,” he said.

Priorities

The SP said that his first priority would be to strengthen the department, increase manpower and then understand the people so that he could bring in a people-friendly policing system in place.

“Peace, harmony and law and order are also top priority,” he said.

Balakrishna was awarded with a medal in 2003. He was then an ASP and in this position he had nabbed four aides of Veerappan in connection to the kidnap and killing of former minister Nagappa. He won another medal from the central government on the occasion of the 50th Independence Day.

Balakrishna served as SP of Gadag district before taking charge in Udupi.