Police personnel in Karnataka have yet again dared to call for a state-wide protest demanding a wage-hike, better working conditions and leave policy. According to a Bangalore Mirror report by Binoy Valsan, the constabulary and lower-rank policemen (below sub-inspector level) are threatening to go on mass leave on November 14.
Two policemen, including a head constable were relieved from service without proper inquiry for circulating these messages through social media earlier this week, reported BM.
A police official was quoted by BM saying, “Kiran Kumar, a head constable from Shikaripura police station, was relieved from service after he was found circulating the November 14 mass leave call to numerous police personnel through WhatsApp. Action was also initiated against Kariappa, a policeman from Koppal Town police station, for posting a similar message on a Facebook page.”
Months after the police threatened to go on a state-wide protest, a government committee had recommended a 35% hike in the salary of non-IPS personnel in September. Cops however remain skeptical that it will materialise even as working conditions remain grueling.
The Committee to Examine Disparities in Pay and Allowance of Police headed by ADGP (recruitment) Raghavendra Auradkar, was constituted on June 28, 2016. The government is yet to take a call on the recommendations.
Shashidar Venugopal, founder president of the Akhila Karnataka Police Maha Sangha was arrested after calling for a protest on July 4.
The Yelahanka police station booked Shashidar and one other person for sedition and the Karnataka Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) for disturbing public order and threatening safety across the state. He was given a conditional bail on August 25.