No takers from 15 police quarters in Ponnai

THARIAN MATHEW

VELLORE: About 15 residential quarters for police officials attached to the Ponnai police station in Vellore district constructed by the Police housing corporation are lying idle for years with cops and top brass having differing views on its use.

The quarters are just a stone’s throw from the station in a secluded and densely wooded area with some rusting materials. According to sources, “Though the quarters were initially meant for police personnel of the local station, it was handed over to the STF (Special Task Force) which was created in the early eighties of the last century to apprehend forest brigand Veerappan.”

Elaborating, the sources said, “As the STF had no barracks or base locally, the quarters were handed over to them, but there is no record of them using the place for any stretch of time.”

The place, though in operable condition earlier, gradually dilapidated resulting in local police using their clout with the DPO (District Police Office) to ensure that it was allotted to the staff of the Ponnai police station.

Ponnai police inspector P Manonmani said, “We have sought the SP’s help to make some repairs and ensure continuous water supply so that it can be used.”

Station sources stated that whenever grass and shrubs overgrew on the quarters’ premises including the entrance, they would use the services of the 100 days work scheme to clear up the area.

Vellore SP Rajesh Kannan said, “Yes, I have received the request but the problem is that nobody is willing to move to the quarters.”

Sources in Vellore DPO contradicted this by saying that the staff are ready to occupy the quarters provided it is made habitable.