Grant leave or allow us to commit mass suicide: Kadur Police

Amid the increasing unrest in the lower ranks of the police force in Karnataka, personnel from the Kadur police have written to the Karnataka governor requesting to either grant them leave, else allow them the permission to commit mass suicide.

The Kadur police have sent the copy of the letter to a High Court Judge and the Chikkamangalore superintendent of police.

In a first of its kind protest in the state, the police personnel in Karnataka are planning to go on mass leave on June 4 to protest against harassment by senior officers in the name of discipline, meagre salary, lack of leaves and other issues faced on the professional front.

Some 50,000 police officers across the state have already applied for ‘Harassment Leave’ on June 4. The senior police personnel, however, have denied all their leaves.

The department also has sent a seven-page handbook to all the police officers with details on what action to be taken against police who derelict the rules. According to the 1966 police force act, a police officer is not supposed to identify himself with any organisation or with any political party. The breach of rule will cost two years imprisonment

DGP Omprakash has instructed all the senior officers not to grant leave unless it is an emergency case .

"If any of the police personnel are found protesting, we’ll take necessary action, a non-bailable warrant will be filed against the erring officers. Shashidhar, who is leading the protest doesn’t have basic knowledge about police, rules. He should remember that Karnataka police are enjoying more facilities and privileges compared to other states” DGP Omprakash said.

The Police Maha Sangha, which is representing the protesting police personnel, said that they tried to negotiate with Dr. G Parameshwar, Home Minister but the minister did not speak to them.

There are also reports that higher officers are threatening the constables, but the movement will not bow to such pressure tactics.