Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)

Mangaluru, Apr 2: The city police commissionerate in association with Dakshina Kannada district police and KSRP observed ‘Police Flag Day’ and 'Police Welfare Day' at police grounds here on Thursday April 2, even as retired police officers boycotted the ceremony to express their frustration over non-fulfillment of their demands.

ASP (probation) Suman Pennekar led the parade. Six contingents of the police force like Karnataka State Reserve Police, District Armed Reserve Police, civil police and traffic policeaccompanied by the police band, celebrated the Karnataka Police Flag Day, honouring all serving and retired police personnel of the district.

On the occasion, retired ASI Kushalappa Gowda released the police flags which were later sold to the members present. The money collected from these flags will be used for the welfare of police personnel.

As many as 63 police personnel who retired in the year 2014-15 were supposed to be honoured on the occasion, but only four retired police officers were present, and they were honoured later.

Addressing the gathering, retired ASI Kushalappa Gowda spoke about his 33 years of service in the police department and said, "Today's programme has been organised for retired police officers, but they have boycotted the ceremony. Boycotting does not make any sense, as this was an opportunity to come out and urge fulfillment of our demands."

Kushalappa Gowda requested the police department to put pressure on the state government to fulfill their needs. "We (retired officers) need only two things to be implemented - Arogya Bhagya and canteen facilities," he said.

"Retired border security and army personnel have canteen facilities and the same benefit should be given to us. We are ready to pay and avail this facility; we are not asking them to give it for free," he added.

Inspector general police (western range) Amrit Paul responding to the issue raised by Kushalappa, said, "We have submitted a memorandum to the home minister and the chief minister to fulfill their needs. But it will take time and it is a continuous process. There is nothing wrong in requesting these needs."

He also announced Rs 500 for each police officer who took part in the parade.

Children of police officers who scored high marks in SSLC, PUC and engineering were felicitated by Nalini S Bhandary. DCP Santhosh Babu read out the annual report on this occasion. ASI Lanet Castelino compered the ceremony.

Superintendent of police Dr Sharanappa S D, police commissioner S Murugan, KSRP commandent C Rangaswamy, DCP Vishnuvardhan, CCB Valentine D'Souza and others were also present.

Boycotting of ceremony: B J Bhandary clarifies

Explaining the reason behind boycotting the police ceremony, B J Bhandary, retired police officers' welfare association president said at a press meet, "The government and politicians have given only assurances. We have protested many times before, and last month we had cautioned that if the government did not include Arogya Bhagya and canteen facilities for retired police officers in the budget, then we would boycott the Flag Day and Police Welfare Day celebrations.

"Now we have to wait for another more year for the budget. Senior IPS officer Om Prakash had placed these demands four times with the government in 2010. But the government has not considered any of our requests. Even IGP Amrit Paul requested the government to fulfil our needs, but to no avail," he added.

"We are not asking the government to give us canteen facility for free. We will pay and buy food. The only benefit we get from the canteen is that the items are tax-free. This is not at all a big thing for the government. There are officers who are suffering from lots of problems. A few of our retired officers are suffering from kidney failure, blood pressure and diabetes. Blood pressure is common in the police department," he said

"The present police department remembers us only today, while rest of the days we are not at all considered. Again next year they will remember us on this same day. We never forced anyone to boycott the Flag Day, it was just our request with other retired police officers and they supported it," he added

Udupi

Colourful parade at Chandu Maidan marks Police Flag Day

Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Apr 2: Police Flag Day was observed by the Udupi district police with a colorful parade on Thursday April 2 at Chandu Maidan here.

Retired deputy SP Prabhudev Mane was the chief guest and received the guard of honour at the parade. He ceremoniously released the police flag on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Prabhudev Mane referred to the Kambalapalli case and the suspicious death of IAS officer D K Ravi Kumar and said, "Forming laws is very difficult and the police department has a great responsibility towards executing the laws. In some incidents police officers might have faced awkward situations, but they should not get discouraged.

"In our profession, impatient attitude of the public will only pressure us more. White is associated with cleanliness and purity. Khaki is connected to the power of tolerance, courage and hard work. Police may be influenced by many things but their ultimate goal is to provide good service to society," he said.

"If police make a mistake, they should be given a chance to realize and reform. It is wrong to point fingers on the entire police system," he added.

Mane urged for public support and said that the police should respect the public without being discriminative. "Police should welcome everyone with a smile," he added.

He concluded by reminding the police that according to police manual 1 order no 342, the department should build a strong relationship with retired servicemen and take care of their health needs.

An amount of Rs 5,13,000 was distributed from the police welfare fund to 40 retired police personnel.

Among the nine police officers selected for the chief minister’s medal from undivided Dakshina Kannada, three police officers - K S Sudarshan of Anti-Naxal Force Karkala, Janardhan, AHC DAR from Udupi district, and Rosario D’souza, ASI of Udupi town police station- have been selected from Udupi district.

ASP Santosh Kumar welcomed the gathering and read out the annual report. Police officer K M Chandrashekar proposed the vote of thanks. B Manmohan Rao, ASI district control room compered the occasion.