Rabkavi headquarters still remains under Terdal taluk police limits

Bagalkot: Rabkavi, a taluk headquarters in Bagalkot district, is included in the police station limits of Terdal, a neighbouring taluk. Although Rabkavi-Banhatti are twin cities and Banhatti has a separate police station, residents of Rabkavi are compelled to visit the Terdal police station whenever necessary. Despite the residents' requests for the police department to merge their town with the Banhatti police station or to establish another station, the department has only provided a police outpost under the jurisdiction of the Terdal station.

Dr Ravi Jamkhandi, an anaesthesiologist and social activist, informed TOI that Rabkavi-Bahatti taluk was formed in 2017, while Terdal was recently declared a taluk headquarters. "We urged the govts for two decades to include Rabkavi in the Banahatti police station, which is just half a kilometre away from us. With one city municipal council (CMC), how can only one area be added to the Terdal police station, which is 7 km away? If the police have any technical issues, adding Rabkavi to the Banahatti police station, it should provide a separate station for Rabkavi," he emphasised.

Sanjay Teggi, former president of Rabkavi-Banahatti CMC, noted that the Duradi family in Rabkavi donated an acre of land to the police department decades ago. "It can be used for another police station or for any other purpose like police quarters. If they rename the Banahatti station as Rabkavi-Banahatti, we welcome it. However, excluding Rabkavi from Banahatti police limits is very unscientific and unfair," he commented.

Ravi Gadad, a businessman and activist, mentioned that all Bagalkot SPs assured they would recommend changes to the govt, but nothing was done. Bagalkot SP Amarnath Reddy was unavailable for comment. However, the DG and IGP office stated in its reply dated Dec 23, 2024, that the Banahatti police station covers Banahatti city and 31 villages, while the Terdal station includes nine villages, including Rabkavi city. "Bagalkot SP mentioned that the distance between Rabkavi and Terdal is about 7 km, and there are many buses available for travel. Hence, he opined to retain Rabkavi under the Terdal station limits itself," the reply added.