Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jun 4: The proposed police personnel protest did not take place in Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Udupi districts as anticipated. But the families of the police personnel gathered to protest in a peaceful manner in Mangaluru.

As per the reports, police commissioner of DK district Chandra Shekar and newly appointed superintendent of police (SP) Bhushan Gulabrao Borase visited all the police stations within their jurisdictions on Friday, June 3 to convince the police personnel not to go on mass leave as part of proposed strike.

As on Saturday morning, police personnel could be seen in all the police stations of Dakshina Kannada district as usual. But their families gathered at Muneeshwara temple at police lane in Pandeshwar in city with their demands.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) A B Ibrahim, police commissioner and SP were seen talking to the families of the police personnel inside the temple hall.

Police commissioner Chandra Shekar speaking to the reporters after meeting the families of the police personnel said “I, with deputy commissioner, have held a meeting with the families of the police personnel. We are trying our best to meet the demands in whichever way possible. Some of the demands, which are to be solved from the state level, have been sent to Bengaluru in the form of a petition, through deputy commissioner. Some problems, like weekly off, will be dealt with as soon as possible. I am aware there is workforce shortage. Still this problem can be addressed. We need intelligence inputs for that. For example, a particular area can be handled by one person instead of ten when intelligence report is favourable. We are trying our best from local level to find solutions to most of the problems."

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said “First of all I congratulate the police personnel for turning up for duties without participating in the stir. All the problems concerning sanitation and infrastructure at the police quarters will be looked into with immediate effect. Departmental problems will be sorted out locally as well as in the state level by the police department and the government."

Various organizations hold vehicle rally on behalf of police personnel

Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jun 4: Members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Karnataka Karmika Vedike, Ashrayadata auto union, NECF, CITU jointly organized a peaceful protest vehicle rally on behalf of police personnel to fulfill their demands. The rally started at Martyrs ground, Ajjarkad here on Saturday June 4.

Sandeep Kumar, retired constable addressing the protestors said that there has been a disparity in the salaries. The salaries of police should be released by the respective state governments or central government. 50% of the reservation policy should be alotted for RSI posts and recruitment of PSI according to the population of Karnataka. Police personnel must be paid for weekly offs. Travelling allowance should be fixed at a minimum of Rs 300 and should be increased on out of state visits or to distant places.

He also added that this strike has taken place after 68 years. There has been no force on the police officers to join the protest. If their demands are not fulfilled, then a major protest will be the next option.

Ravi Shetty, district president, Karnataka Karmike vedike said, "Police officers are under pressure and are facing severe problems in their work. They have no security."

Retired ASI Gowri Shankar said, "The police department itself is known for discipline. Even on small issues, they face suspension in the name of ‘disciplinary action’. Their working conditions are pathetic as they have to work more than 15 hours at a stretch without basic amenities. Quality food grains should be supplied on their ration card and that benefit should be continued even after retirement. Maternal leave should be increased to upto nine months."

The vehicle rally commenced from Martyrs Ground Ajjarkad to DC office, Rajathadri and they submitted the appeal copy to DC.

Balakrishna Shetty, CITU, Ramesh Shetty, Nagesh Mesta, Ganesh Kamath, Santhosh Shetty Panjimaru and others were present.