K'taka: Police to stage protest against advocates

Bangalore: In an unusual action, police have decided to stage a black badge protest in Bangalore on Friday seeking action against lawyers who assaulted their personnel in last week's violence in the City Civil Court complex, amid the worsening Advocates-Media-Police confrontation.

Police hit out at efforts by advocates in slapping "false cases" against them which they see as an attempt to put pressure on the High Court over the March 2 incidents.

This is the first time the men in Khaki are protesting against lawyers, who have accused them of assaulting advocates during the mayhem which saw mediapersons and police personnel being attacked, leaving scores of people injured.

At least 54 police personnel were injured in the stone pelting by some advocates, according to police.

The decision to go on protest, announced in a statement by police, comes hours after their family members held a demonstration in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue demanding stringent action against advocates who attacked police and mediapersons.

Members of the Karnataka State Police Family Members' Association flayed the government for its "failure" to take action against the culprits even after a week and threatened to intensify their stir if culprits were not booked.

Meanwhile, the City police, as a precautionary measure, extended prohibitory orders, imposed since March three in and around the City Civil Court complex, till March 18.

The extension came in the wake of plan by advocates from all over the state to stage a march from the civil court to High Court tomorrow urging action against police and mediapersons.

The functioning of civil courts has been crippled since March 3 following indefinite boycott by advocates, despite warning from High Court Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen against it.

Efforts by government to bring about a reconciliation between advocates and journalists have failed.

A delegation of women advocates today met the Chief Justice and sought his intervention to ensure security of women lawyers in the wake of alleged police assault on them on March 2. They handed over a CD to Justice Sen which purportedly had visuals of the violent incidents.

Assuring them that he would look into their grievances, the Chief Justice asked them to withdraw their boycott and resume their duties.