In a significant move to restore public property and trust, the Srikakulam district police in Andhra Pradesh successfully returned a large haul of recovered mobile phones to their rightful owners. The event, organized as a special 'mobile recovery mela', saw the handover of hundreds of devices that had been either lost or stolen.
Major Haul Returned to Citizens
On Monday, the district police formally handed over a total of 555 mobile phones to their owners. The collective value of these devices is estimated at a staggering Rs 86 lakh. The initiative was spearheaded by Srikakulam's District Police Chief, K V Maheswara Reddy, who oversaw the process of verifying and returning the property.
Addressing the gathering, Reddy emphasized the police department's commitment to not just solving crimes but also ensuring recovered items find their way back to the citizens. The phones returned during this mela were part of a larger recovery effort undertaken by the force throughout the year.
Year-Long Recovery Drive Shows Impressive Results
The special mela highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Srikakulam police in combating mobile phone thefts and losses. Authorities revealed that so far in the current year, the district police have managed to recover a total of 1,060 mobile phones. This figure underscores a proactive approach to a common urban and semi-urban issue.
The successful recovery and return of such a high number of devices is attributed to coordinated efforts, use of technology, and public cooperation. The police have been leveraging various databases and tracking methods to trace stolen phones across district and state lines.
Critical Advice for Mobile Phone Users
Alongside the return ceremony, the Srikakulam police issued crucial advisories to help citizens protect themselves and act swiftly in case of phone loss. The primary recommendation is for individuals to immediately register a complaint if their phone is lost or stolen.
Police officials specifically directed citizens to use the government's Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) Portal – accessible at ceir.gov.in. This portal is a powerful tool that allows users to block their lost mobile phones across all networks in India, rendering the device useless for thieves.
Furthermore, given the rise of digital payments, the police issued an urgent warning regarding financial security. They strongly urged people to promptly lock their UPI (Unified Payments Interface) accounts the moment they realize their phone is missing. This step is vital to prevent unauthorized access to banking apps and digital wallets, which could lead to significant financial fraud.
The mobile recovery mela in Srikakulam serves as a dual-purpose event: it provides tangible relief to victims of theft and loss, while also educating the public on essential preventive and reactive measures in today's digital age.
