Panaji (Goa): The unwanted calls which are dialed by mistake are burdening the emergency lines of State police.

“It is brought to the notice of general public that due to inception of dial 112 as an emergency response system, there is considerable increase in unintentionally or accidentally triggered phone calls,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Rupender Kumar told reporters today.

“Due to this, the genuine callers are deprived of getting through the emergency phone line,” he added.

Kumar said, “it has been observed that the panic button is being triggered off accidentally and unintentionally by cell phone owners.” “They are not aware that emergency number 112 has been dialed from their handsets and as a result they do not communicate anything to the control room,” he said.

In addition, the telephone does not get disconnected for sometime which makes that particular line unavailable to the general public, he added.

To overcome this problem on a temporary basis, the number of telephone lines in State police control room have been increased to 30 from the existing seven lines, said Kumar.

“But increasing the lines is not the solution unless there is awareness amongst general public regarding pressing of panic button is an emergency response system,” he said.

The DIG has appealed the general public that users of mobile phones be cautious and careful while using the phone.

Team TNV