Bokaro SP Y.S. Ramesh on Tuesday sent a proposal to Ranchi for setting up of a new police station at Chira Chas, 3.5km from Chas township.

The proposed police station will primarily cover an area of 10sqkm.

Chira Chas, which has a population of over 1.5 lakh, is witnessing serious law and order problems for the past few months as cases of robberies, burglaries and chain snatchings have gone up.

According to police, the area, which falls along NH-32, has become a safe passage for criminals on the run. The gangs easily catch the routes to Dhanbad, Chandankyari and even Purulia (Bengal) to escape police.

This apart, there has been a sudden spurt in population. Till a few years ago, the loca-lity had a few farmhouses only, but now boasts 24 residential colonies, more than 200 apartments, multi-storeyed buildings, scores of private houses and several shopping centres.

A source in the police said that the decision to set up the thana in the township was taken by Coal Belt DIG Saket Singh way back in 2009 when he was Bokaro SP. Singh took the decision after seeing a rise in population in Chira Chas but the proposal fell on deaf ears.

"I have already raised this matter with senior police officers, including DGP D.K. Pandey, who also knows the problem. I hope a new police station will come up soon," said DIG Singh.

SP Ramesh said a police station was the need of the hour. "I am optimistic that in next three months, Chira Chas will get a new thana," he added.