Bengaluru: Come June 4, something unprecedented may happen in Karnataka. The police constables across the state are threatening to go on strike on that day.
The police force has never gone on strike in the past and rules also don’t permit them to abandon duty and protest.
Karnataka State Police Association president Shashidhar has asked police constables to go on one day mass casual leave in protest against increasing political interference, low salaries and poor working conditions.
Karnataka has over 73,000 police officials. Of them, over 60,000 are police constables and over 10,000 of them have already applied for a day’s leave on June 4. Other constables are hesitating to join the strike fearing loss of job.
Speaking to News18.com over telephone he said, "I have asked all top police officers and SPs to visit all police stations to listen to the grievances of constables. They will also explain what the state government has done for them in the last two years. The government has done a lot for them and will do more in the days to come. I have personally done maximum for them. Many basic allowances have been revised. We are handling the situation well."
According to government records, Shashidhar is a suspended constable. Moreover, rules don’t permit police constables to form associations and trade unions. The Karnataka State Police Association itself is illegal, the state government has claimed.
Reacting to the development, Shashidhar said, “State government has not done anything for us. After all our attempts failed to draw the attention of the people in power, we have decided to go on a strike. Constables are being treated like second class citizens. Senior officers treat them like slaves. In the name of discipline, we are constantly harassed."
He demanded that police constables should have their own wage board and police reforms should be implemented. He also claims that constables get paid much more in neighbouring states than what they get in Karnataka.
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