Bengaluru: Following the arrests of two dismissed cops and the state government invoking ESMA, the policemen who were determined to go on mass leave on Saturday, are baffled and many are also considering to withdraw leave application. However, a majority of them are closely watching the situation before taking any decision.
As the police have arrested Shashidhar Venugopal, founder President of Akhila Karnataka Police Maha Sangha, in Bengaluru and Basavaraju, the secretary of the Forum, in Hubballi, the cops, who had decided to go on mass leave, are changing their minds.
It is also learnt that policemen are being made to sign an undertaking, which states, “As a responsible staff of the police force, I will not take part in any protest or strikes. If I take part, I am liable for any action initiated by the government.” A head constable told DC that though senior officers are asking the staff to sign on the undertaking, most of his colleagues were not willing.
“We are still firm on going on mass leave. But, if we sign the undertaking, we will have to appear for work. Most of us are yet to make a decision regarding going on leave. Everything will be finalised by Friday night,” he added.
Meanwhile, another constable said that with the government invoking ESMA and arrests of Shashidhar and Basavaraj, who were spearheading the agitation, policemen have been forced to rethink their decision.
“Till Wednesday, everyone was firm. After the government invoked ESMA and arrested two leaders, most of them are backing out from the strike. However, I have not withdrawn the leave application and it should not have anything do to as leave is not granted. I will wait till Saturday morning. If a large number of policemen do not turn up for work, I will also do the same. I will go by what majority of the policemen do.” Though, there is no good response for the strike by policemen in Bengaluru, it is expected to be successful in many districts.
No cop will go on leave: DG & IGP
DG & IGP Om Prakash reiterated on Thursday that police personnel throughout the state and the city will not go on mass leave on June 4 and action has been taken against people who instigated the policemen to go on strike.
Addressing reporters at his office, the state police chief announced the arrests of two dismissed constables – Shashidhar Venugopal from the city and Basavaraj Koravar from Hubbali.
“Unscrupulous elements from outside are creating rifts inside police department and are deliberately trying to make the strike a success for their own vested interests. The two accused are self-declared leaders who formed non-recognised organisations, and using various social media platforms instigated the police force to go on mass leave, after gaining public sympathy.
