Bengaluru: The police top brass, which succeeded in foiling the strike plan by constables, also acted tough against those who wanted to support the policemen. It was expected that various organisations would come in support of police and stage demonstrations to urge the government to fulfill the demands of policemen.
Even thousands of policemen, who could not go on mass leave as ESMA was invoked against them, were pinning hopes on such organisations to raise their grievances. On Saturday morning, members of a few organisations gathered at the Freedom Park to protest on behalf of the police. Senior police officers, who had expected this, spoke to the members and told them that they will have to face severe action if they protested, as ESMA was invoked. Fearing arrest, the protestors beat a hasty retreat.
Meanwhile, Poornima, wife of Shashidhar Venugopal, the Founder President of Akhila Karnataka Police Maha Sangha, went near the Freedom Park along with 15-20 women. As they were holding a silent protest, the police officials warned them to leave the venue. This led to an argument between the protesters and the police. Finally, the police took Poornima and a few other women into preventive custody. They were released later in the evening.
In another incident, pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj came in support of policemen wearing police uniform at Basaveshwara Circle. He was also taken into preventive custody by the police.
