BENGALURU: The Police Commissioners of Mangaluru and Belagavi got an earful from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for reportedly not handling some cases appropriately.
During the Senior Police Officers Review Meeting held at the Police Chief’s office on Saturday, Mr Siddaramaiah lambasted Mangaluru Police Commissioner S. Murugan and Belagavi Police Commissioner S. Ravi. Referring to a recent case in Mangaluru, where rowdy Manoj Kulal’s associates celebrated his release from jail and took him out on a procession from the jail, the CM expressed his dissatisfaction on the way the police handled it.
“Is he a freedom fighter to go on a procession? What were your men doing when it was happening,” the CM asked Murugan, who had no answer.
Meanwhile, Belagavi Police Commissioner was also pulled up by the CM for the way the police mishandled the arrest of a Bajrang Dal worker. The worker was reportedly not arrested after more than 100 workers protested when the police went to arrest him.
Later, an MP told the police that he would convince the worker to surrender the next day after which the police left without arresting the worker. “Why do you have to budge under any pressure? Just work as per the law and do not yield to any pressure,” the CM told Ravi.
Lottery prohibition wing to be scrapped
The government has decided to scrap the existing lottery prohibition wing and merge the existing staff with the crime branch in every district.
The move comes as the existing system was not working effectively. The CM said that under the existing system, the lottery prohibition wing was functioning under an IGP, two SPs, six DySps and other staff. “Whatever they are doing is not enough. So the hierarchy has been scrapped and SPs will be responsible to wipe out all kinds of illegal lottery system in their districts,” he said.
He also said that a police official in Mysuru district was suspended for involving with a person, who was running lottery business illegally. It is said that a senior police officer will be suspended soon in this connection.
Intelligence Wing postings
The CM said that 100 personnel will be exclusively recruited for the intelligence wing. “The existing intelligence system is not working as per expectations.
They need special training. Thus, exclusive recruitment for the wing will be made and they won’t be transferred to any other agencies.” However, the proposal has been in the pipeline for the last 3-4 years and it is not known when it will be implemented.
