Udupi: K T Balakrishna, an IPS officer of the 2006 batch, assumed charge as the new superintendent of police (SP) of Udupi district on August 11.

He succeeded Annamalai who was transferred and Additional SP Vishnuwardhan was given the charge of SP until the arrival of new SP. Prior to coming to Udupi as SP, Balakrishna served as SP of Gadag district. 

After accepting the guard of honour, Balakrishna spoke to the reporters on a number of issues including the Bhaskar Shetty murder case, shortage of staff, priorities and so on.

When asked about the atmosphere of mistrust upon the police department following the brutal murder of Bhaskar Shetty, he said: "There is no need to have any doubts about the police. People should have confidence in the police. We will probe the case thoroughly and see that justice is done."

To a question on the increasing rate of crime in the district, he said, "It is not possible to stop crimes completely, but we can curb them. We will do our best and take all necessary action to reduce crimes."

On the shortage of police staff in the district, he said that it  is not an excuse for not doing one's work efficiently. Filling up vacant posts is a long-term process and the department should work with the facilities the government provides, he added.

He also said that his first priority is to strenghen the police department and increase manpower and his next priority would be to make the department more people-friendly, and win their confidence. "Protecting property, peace, harmony and law and order is also a top priority, "he added. 

Regarding moral policing, he said stringent action would be taken against anyone who indulges in it or takes into one's hands. He also added that appropriate steps will be taken about the Naxals in the region.

In 2003, he was rewarded with a medal for nabbing four accomplices 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.