From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 16: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has promised budgetary allocation for construction of a well-equipped Suvarna Police Bhavan to mark 50 years since the renaming of the State as 'Karnataka' and also in memory of the golden jubilee of the State’s unification.

Addressing the meeting of the Annual senior police officers at the State Director General’s Office in Bengaluru on Tuesday, he said police officers should desist from using their proximity to leaders to get transfers or use caste considerations to advance their career.

The chief minister said the police personnel have a greater role and responsibility in maintaining law and order and peace as also protect constitutional values and ideals.

The fact that thefts and crimes are on the rise indicates that the law enforcement machinery has not been effective. The patrolling and Hoysala system is not working to expectations. If the situation continues and there is no improvement, the police officers including DCPs would be held responsible, he said.

The chief minister said the performance of the police in tackling cases of atrocities against dalits and women was not up to the mark. Police should be vigilant in curbing cases of violence against women and children and take prompt action in untouchability cases, he said.

"If the people have faith and trust in the police, it is necessary to ensure that police investigations are prompt and efficient. The oppressed persons must be able to trust the police,’’ he said.

Making it clear that the Congress government has given a free hand to the police, Siddaramaiah said the free hand was not a licence for high handedness and it should not be misused. People should benefit from the freedom given to them by the government.

Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, Home department secretary Umashankar, DGP Alok Mohan, chief minister’s Secretary Trilok Chandra and chief minister’s political secretaries K Govindaraju and Naseer Ahmed were present.