Bengaluru: In what is seen as a disturbing trend which perhaps indicates that criminals are no longer afraid of law enforcement authorities, the city has witnessed a sudden surge in the number of attacks on police officers.
Criminals on the run have no qualms about attacking the police in a bid to escape.
In the month of June alone, four police officers were attacked by the criminals in different incidents reported in the city and the police had to open fire to nab them.
On June 1, Rajesh, an accused in the murder of BJP worker Harish, attacked a sub inspector by rolling the handcuff chain around his neck when he was arrested in Anekal.
He continued to tighten his grip despite a warning shot was fired by DySP Bengaluru Rural sub division S. K. Umesh. The DySP then fired a bullet at Rajesh's left thigh to rescue the sub inspector.
Similarly, on June 9, a rowdy sheeter Nakul, who was facing an arrest in a murder case, attacked a police officer with lethal weapons when the team had gone to arrest him.
The officer had a narrow escape as Vidyaranyapura police inspector shot at Nakul's leg in an act of self defence.
Similar attacks on police took place in Hebbagodi and HAL police station limits on June 18 and 24 respectively.
Both the accused had to be shot at in order to rescue the police officials and to nab them.
Experts opine that loss of fear of police and law had contributed in making the criminals turn violent to evade arrests.
"Though the gang wars are common in which criminals attack criminals, there was hardly any news of police being attacked by criminals while facing arrest. Nothing but the loss of fear of police and law is the reason for the recent attacks, making the job of police riskier," said a social activist.
Commenting on the situation, a senior police official said that there was always a fear of possible attacks from the accused at the time of arrest.
"With most of the rowdy sheeters carrying pistols and lethal weapons, we have to take precautionary measures while dealing with them," he said.
