Karnataka Cops May Go on Mass Leave Even After Leader Gets Jailed

Bengaluru – At least 15,000 police constables in Karnataka are showing no signs of backing down from their decision to go in for an unprecedented mass strike on Saturday protest against what they call inhuman working conditions.

The state government has however declared it illegal and ordered officers not to approve casual leave and also asked state government doctors not to issue medical certificates to anyone.

On Wednesday, the police barged into the house of Shashidhar, president of Karnataka State Police Welfare Association and sent him to jail for 15 days.

Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Omprakash said "police can’t go on a strike. No man in uniform can form union and boycott work. We are aware of their grievances. The chief minister himself has promised to address them. The police association itself is illegal. Shashidhar is a dismissed constable. I am sure there will be no strike on Saturday. It will be like any other day for the police department".

The Police Association has submitted a list of demands to the government through the DGP, who is the head of police force.

Some of their demands include – increase in salary on par with neighbouring states like Telangana, fixed working hours, end to exploitation by superior officers, new wage board, time bound promotion, better housing, scrapping of orderly system, medical facilities and better more allowance.

Asked about the demands the DGP said "We are working on it. Some of their demands have already been fulfilled. Rest will be done in a phased manner. No regimental force can go on a strike and it will never be tolerated".

Under ESMA, constables who don’t report to work on Saturday can be dismissed from the job.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said “We are sympathetic towards their demands. But, under no circumstances, strike will be tolerated or allowed. Men and women in uniform can’t do this whatever may be their demand and grievance".

Karnataka has over 73,000 police constables. More than 25,000 posts are vacant and the state is planning to recruit 15,000 constables this year.