The Karnataka government could be staring at a major law and order situation with the state police's proposed statewide strike on June 4. Sending a strong message to the protesting constables, the state government arrested the President of the Akhila Karnataka Police Sangh Shashidhar Venugopal, who is leading the protest.
After his arrest on Thursday, Shashidhar was produced before honorable court which has remanded him in judicial custody till June 16.
Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) has been invoked in the state ahead of the proposed statewide strike. Director General of Police (DGP) Omprakash had issued a circular warning the men in uniform of dire consequences, if they go on mass casual leave.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also warned against any act of "indiscipline" by the force. "The government will be open minded on this. If the demands are just we are ready to fulfil them. All issues can be solved through discussion," he had said.
An organisation called Akhila Karnataka Police Maha Sangha is spearheading the stir led by V Shashidhar, who is its founder-President and a suspended police personnel.
In a letter to Home Minister G Parameshwara on May 13, Shashidhar had highlighted the issues faced by police, particularly constables, and their intention to go on mass leave. The letter pointed out irregular working hours coupled with no proper leave and pay anomaly, among others.
Karnataka has over 73,000 police officials. Of them, over 60,000 are police constables and over 30,000 of them have already applied for a day's leave on June 4.
The police force has never gone on strike in the state and rules also don't permit them to abandon duty and protest. The DGP has ordered all ADGPs, IGPs, Police Commissioners and SPs not to sanction the mass casual leave on June 4.
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