Shortage of personnel in police force: Minister

Kochi, Apr 10 (UNI) Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today said there was a shortage of personnel in the state police force.

Addressing a gathering, after inaugurating a traffic carnival of the local police here, Mr Balakrishnan said the ratio of police to the public in the state was 1:800 as against the required 1:500.

He said the existing vacancies in the force would be filled up immediately.

The minister said there would be 233 vacanies in the Sub-Inspector cadre by year-end and the Ministry would refer this to the public service commission to recruit people.

The carnival was expected to streamline the traffic in the city and would help in inculcating a traffic sense among the public.

The event witnessed pollution control techniques, talk shows on traffic management, entertainment programmes and painting competition.

Representatives of agencies like merchants' union, bus operators and autorickshaw unions participated in the carnival.

UNI