Koraput: Police have launched an awareness drive to sensitise people on various security related issues, including traffic rules.

"Road accidents and criminal incidents can be prevented to a great extent if people are alert and aware of the fundamental rules. It was decided to create awareness among local residents about the precautionary measures they should take to avoid occurrence of crime," said Koraput superintendent of police Kanwar Vishal Singh on Saturday.

He said that during the awareness drive, people would be urged not to share their bank account details, ATM PIN and Aadhaar card details with anyone, they will be asked not to divulge their financial transactions with their colleagues, or carry cash in motorcycle dickey. They will be told to inform the police if they are going outside for a longer period, to wear helmet, not to touch unknown objects lying unattended on road and park vehicles in no-parking areas among others.

The police said pamphlets would be distributed, while street plays and public-police meetings would be organised.

The first phase of the awareness drive has been launched in the Jeypore town police limits, while in the next phrase, it would be organised in other urban areas of the district. The police aims to sensitise people on traffic rules and the importance of wearing helmet at the campaign.

In past one year, there have been more than 100 road accidents in the district, mostly on the national highway No. 26. Though, the Supreme Court made it mandatory for all states to strictly enforce helmet rules for bikers, its enforcement is abysmally poor in almost all the districts, including Koraput. "After the end of the sensitisation campaign, we will launch a massive crackdown on traffic related offenders. Wearing helmets will be made compulsory in the urban areas of the district," Singh said.

Priya Ranjan Panigrahi, a Jeypore-based advocate, said: "It's a very good move by the police, but the plan should be sincerely implemented."