Karnataka in God's hands as police to go on mass leave

The Karnataka state police personnel plan to go on mass leave on June 4, to protest the harassment they face from senior officers, their meagre salaries and their inadequate leave policy.

If the movement, lead by the Akhila Karnataka Police Maha Sangha, is successful, it will serve a bitter pill to the state government.

“They requested me to lead the movement to protest the injustice, as there is no proper forum to fight for the rights of policemen. I started the movement and it soon gained support from thousands of policemen and various other organisations as well. In order to send a strong message to the government, all the policemen have decided to go on leave on the same day,” said V Shashidhar President of Akhila Karnataka Police Maha Sangha.

There are around 85,000 policemen in the state, of these, 65,000 are constables; the most harassed section of the police force.  Their meagre salary and hectic work schedules allow them little time or money to spend with their families.

These policemen aren’t granted leaves for in case emergencies and are made to work more than 15 hours a day without even the basic amenities at their disposal.  This is a gross violation of human rights, said Shashidhar.

Despite repeated requests for the last 25-30 years, the government has turned a deaf ear to their problems; the courts, sadly, did not rule in their favour either.

Being part of the state’s disciplinary force, they will not be able to take their protest to the streets, and so their family members have decided to carry out protest on their behalf, says reports.

The Director General Om Prakash, however, has refused to accept the mass leave request and has ordered station heads to suspend or dismiss all those who fail to attend to their duties.

In response to DG’s disapproval, the president of Akhila Karnataka Police Maha Sangha, Shashidhar has sent a letter along with flowers, bangles and a saree to the DG through courier.

“This is a Satvik protest. We need to raise our voice against the injustice upon us. How long should we tolerate their harassment? Many organisations, who value human rights across the state have also lent us their support. This protest is the first of its kind. They whole state will certainly turn quiet on 4 June. We have decided not to accept their harassment anymore. If he (the DG) dares, let him dismiss all the 50000 constables,” added V Shashidhar

Now that the higher ups won’t grant them leave on June 4, the policemen have decided to abscond from work on that day.