Men in khaki to go on strike on June 4 demanding better working conditions

With Akhila Karnataka Police Mahasangha threatening ‘mass leave’ by police personnel across the State on June 4, in protest against the poor salary, harassment by senior officers in the name of discipline, improper leave structure, and other issues, Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Saturday said the government will consider revising their salary on a par with other States during the next pay commission. He appealed to them to drop their plans of going on ‘mass leave’.

The plan to go on ‘mass leave’ is a first in the State. In some districts, a large number of policemen have applied for leave on Saturday (June 4).

Appointments

Addressing presspersons here, Mr. Parameshwara said: “We have collected information from other States on salaries of the police there. The government will consider hiking the salary during the next pay revision commission… I urge the protesting police personnel to withdraw their plan to go on mass leave because they are a disciplined force,” he said. About 15,000 policemen will be appointed during the next three years, he added.

The State is facing shortage of about 25,000 police. About 13,000 policemen are undergoing training and the recruitment process is under way, he said. He admitted that severe shortage had led to many police personnel working beyond their stipulated hours of work.

Noting that the police do not enjoy the right to protest under the police manual, he said the government has also taken note of other demands made by policemen. Strike or protest is not allowed in any way, but “we have taken note of the demands of the police”, he said. Quoting from the police manual, he said striking police could be summarily dismissed from service.

Social media

Replying to a query, he said the government would take action against those indulging in provoking policemen to go on ‘mass leave’ through Facebook and WhatsApp.

“We are tracking various social media sites and will take action against those indulging in provoking policemen to go on ‘mass leave’,” he said.