Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Calls for Disciplined and People-Friendly Policing in Karnataka
In a significant address at the Karnataka Police Academy (KPA) in Mysuru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday advised police personnel to cultivate discipline, patience, and a human approach in their duties, highlighting these as essential for effective law enforcement across the state. He underscored the importance of ensuring justice, particularly for oppressed communities, with special protection for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, and other vulnerable sections of society, noting that the Indian Constitution itself upholds this mandate.
Emphasis on Professional Integrity and Public Respect
The Chief Minister spoke after receiving a guard of honour at the Passing Out Parade of the 46th batch of police sub-inspectors (civil). He urged the police to adopt a people-friendly demeanor, treating citizens with respect, especially women, children, and the elderly, while maintaining professional integrity. However, Siddaramaiah cautioned that this approach should not extend to criminals; police must be tough on anti-social elements, show no mercy, and take stern action to uphold law and order, civil obedience, and societal peace.
Women's Safety and Societal Responsibilities
Citing Mahatma Gandhi's belief that true independence is achieved when women can walk freely at midnight, the CM stressed the police's greater responsibility in ensuring women's security in Karnataka. He advised the newly passed-out PSIs to strive diligently for law and order maintenance, utilizing their training skills and knowledge for societal betterment. Additionally, Siddaramaiah called for a drug-free state by eradicating drug networks, warning that many youths and students are falling prey to such instant fantasies, which ruin lives and threaten public health.
Addressing Modern Challenges and Government Initiatives
The CM highlighted the need for police to tackle increasing cyber crimes alongside routine offenses. To bolster the force, the government has recruited 4,911 police personnel, including 327 sub-inspectors, over the past three years, with plans to recruit 8,000 more in the next two years. This initiative aims to strengthen Karnataka's police capabilities in facing contemporary challenges.
Parade Highlights and Award Recipients
The event was attended by Home Minister G Parameshwara, Mysuru District Minister HC Mahadevappa, Sericulture Minister K Venkatesh, MLAs Tanveer Sait and TS Srivatsa, DGP MA Saleem, ADGP (Training) Devajyoti Ray, KPA Director N Vishnuvardhana, and Deputy Director Channabasanna. Among the 327 PSIs who passed out in the 42nd batch, 90 were women, with 127 holding BE degrees, one a Bachelor of Dental Sciences, and 56 possessing postgraduate degrees like MA, MSc, or MSW.
Recruitment statistics showed the highest number of candidates from Belagavi district (51), followed by Vijayapura (33), Bagalkot (31), Tumakuru (19), and others. Anilkumar Thippanna from Gadag district received the Sarvathomma Police Award for overall best performance, while Shambhavi from Haveri district was recognized in the women's category, and Dashrath CK and Sridhar LK received awards for best shooting.
