Anti-stabbing squad coming up: CP Borase

IPS officer Bhushan Gulabrao Borase has officially taken charge as the new Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner, succeeding N. Shashikumar. A 2009-batch officer recently transferred from his post as Belagavi Police Commissioner, he outlinde a sweeping strategic vision for the twin cities. The commissioner touched upon various is sues and highlighted his core priorities; He spoke on citizen-centric policing, crime prevention, and en- suring the safety of women, children, and cyberspace. Drawing on his extensive prior experience—which includes central deputation at the National Police Academy and postings as Superintendent of Police and Belagavi Police Commissioner—he promised a proactive, intelligence driven approach to region al law enforcement. Q: Twin cities are witnessing a surge in stabbing incidents and murder case also, how would you tackling these incidents?

Borase Bhushan Gulabrao:

We have witnessed similar incidents in Belagavi also, to address the stabbing incidents, I will replicate a successful strategy from my tenure in Belagavi by establishing dedicated Anti-Stabbing Squads. These specialized teams will conduct proactive, random sweeps using handheld metal detectors to check youths loitering near schools, colleges, and bus stands. Anyone discovered carrying a concealed weapon will be immediately booked under the Arms Act. Im plementing this aggressive enforcement tactic in Belagavi dramatically increased registered Arms Act cases from just three or four in 2024 to thirty seven in 2025, which ultimately deterred potential offenders and caused a significant drop in stabbing incidents throughout 2026. I will explore deploying these identical squads across Hubballi-Dharwad to seize weapons and curb local armed violence. Q: Ganja, and drug men ace has become a big problem, though the crackdowns happened in the past, but the problem remained as it is, what will be your approach to eradicate this?

Borase Bhushan Gulabrao:

The drug problem has deep national and international roots. We will aggressively trace the backward and forward linkages of local drug networks, noting that the department will implement stringent legal measures against drug mafias. I will replicate the successful crackdowns previously executed in Belagavi by utilizing specialized, hard hitting legislation like the KCOCA. Q: What are your plans to address the growing traffic congestion, infrastructure bottlenecks, and road safety concerns in the Hubballi-Dharwad twin cities?

Borase Bhushan Gulabrao:

Traffic man agement requires a coordinated, team-based approach combining public cooperation, sci entific analysis, and targeted enforcement. The department plans to rope in expert consultancy services and partner with local academic institutions, specifically IIT Dharwad to conduct scientific surveys of key junctions, identify bottlenecks, and develop long-term infrastructural solutions. To prevent artificial congestion, officers and constables will focus entirely on ensuring smooth traffic flow during peak hours rather than stopping vehicles to issue penalties.

Fines will not be collect edarbitrarily at random street corners. Instead, traffic violations will be processed under CCTV surveillance or through body-worn cameras to maintain transparency and eliminate corruption allegations. Enforcement efforts will strictly target behaviors that directly cause fatal accidents, specifically drunk driving, non compliance with helmets and seat belts, and reck less driving or wheeling by youths.Q: What will be your action on maintaining Law, Order?

Borase Bhushan Gulabrao:

I will follow a zero-tolerance policy against anti-social elements, will take severe legal tools—including the Goonda Act and externment orders will be utilized to control habitual offenders and rowdyism. To ensure transparency and high accessibility, will connect with the public directly and in the coming days, more interaction with the public will happen and take their views, feedbacks and work on the feasible suggestions. The public can expect a visible changes in the coming days and it is our promise to the people of Hubballi Dharwad.