Police are ‘frustrated’ political interference blamed

Police are ‘frustrated’ political interference blamed

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 10, 2015 : As per media reports,  police personnel in Mangaluru, and all over the district, claimed that they were frustrated and demoralised due to increasing political interference in day to day matters, organisations such as the DYFI - Democratic Youth Federation of India said.

The public outburst on Dec8 evening of police personnel attached to Mangaluru Rural Police Station in protest against Inspector Pramod Kumar being sent on leave was the consequence of sustained attempts by politicians and the sand mafia to get the officer transferred, said DYFI district vice-president B.K. Imtiyaz.

The Inspector has since reported back to duty.  Inspector Pramod Kumar as a no-nonsense and tough officer,  Imtiyaz said that he was able to contain the sand mafia in his jurisdiction, including Adyar, Sahyadri and Valachchil.

Stating that the Inspector was frequently transferred in the last 10 years of his service for his pro-people approach,  Imtiyaz regretted that Inspector Pramod Kumar was still on “deputation” at the rural police station.

He should have been given regular charge of the station, Imtiyaz said.  Ever since Inspector Pramod Kumar’s posting at the rural police station, concerted efforts were being made by politicians and the sand mafia to get him transferred.  If the Commissioner of Police had remained steadfast and not yielded to pressure,  the incident would not have happened, he said.

Meanwhile, several police personnel in the city said that they were fed up with roadblocks while at the same dealing with criminals and anti-social elements.  A police sub-inspector said, “We cannot take action against anti-social elements or criminals. Politicians do not talk to us directly, but speak through higher-ups.  The officer said that it is difficult to work in the district given the extreme political interference in police work. Another police inspector too was given the similar treatment meted out to Ispector Pramod Kumar, the officer added.

Sources said that Mangaluru North MLA B.A. Mohiuddin Bava exerted pressure through district in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai to get Inspector  Pramod Kumar transferred after the arrest of an accused in the Ulaibettu communal clashes. The MLA’s grouse was said to be that innocent people were being victimised by the police.

Commissioner S. Murugan had reportedly called Inspector Pramod Kumar and asked him to go on leave for a few days till the issues were settled. Ministers  Bava and  Ramanatha  Rai were not reachable for comment.