IGP takes a swipe at Diwakar Babu

BELLARY: Taking an indirect swipe at Karnataka Minister of State for Co-operation M. Diwakar Babu who recently alleged that "some lower-rank officers" were wielding clout in the police department, Inspector-General of Police G.M. Hayath (North East) on Saturday asked his personnel to "maintain distance" from such activities.
The police officer said the system of policing "is permanent" and the officers must act according to their conscience, without yielding to pressure from any quarter.
"The police are accountable to the people, and not to the self-centred politicians whose tenure is temporary, unstable."
Hayath was categorical that the police should discharge their duties in an atmosphere which is "free" and "fair" and without succumbing to or encouraging such elements.
The law-and-order situation in the district and that of the town in particular was "at its best" and there was no need for worry as expressed by the local minister.
"District police office Sharat (Chandra) is taking steps to maintain law and order in the town. Yet, the minister is pointing an accusing finger at the police. At best, it could be his (personal) opinion," the police officer contended.
Despite the recent police action against Naxals in Karnataka by arresting six activists, the police officer said the Naxals were involved in 18 cases, including four from Pavagada, in the state.
"Now, we are planning to work in tandem with our Andhra Pradesh counterparts. We''ve recovered 0.38 revolvers from the arrested Naxals," he added.
Hayath said a meeting of the inter-state border district police officers will be convened soon to track down Naxals on the Karnataka soil, which, he suspected, is being used as a "shelter" to plan more attacks in Andhra Pradesh.
He announced that six police stations will be upgraded — instead of sub-inspectors, they will now have circle inspectors at the helm.
Conceding that the district requires more police stations to maintain law and order, Hayath said these proposals shall be discussed at the Karnataka State Police Officers'' convention to be held in Bangalore shortly.
Hayath said the detection department had done a commendable job in the region coming under his jurisdiction — covering Bellary, Chitradurga, Shimoga and Davanagere districts — and added stolen property worth Rs 1.5 crore has been recovered.
"That is about 30 per cent of the stolen property," he added. The police officer congratulated the Bellary police team and was all praise for "Sharat, who, in many instances, succeeded in dealing with any kind of situation and maintaining peace in the district".
Though in certain instances the intervention of National Human Rights Commission looking into certain police cases was a kind of "roadblock", Hayath claimed the North-East range though has not found NHRC a thorn in its flesh.
He warned of strict action against those lodging "false complaints" under the SC/ST Atrocities Act. Such cases are reported highest in the district as it is "economically backward" and has "highest illiteracy rate", he said. Superintendent of Police K.V. Sharat Chandra and ASP S.P. Tavaragi were present.