Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in the state in a bid to subdue a proposed protest by the constabulary on June 4.
In a circular issued by the Director-General and Inspector-General of Police Om Prakash, strict actions, including dismissal of the staff, will be taken against those who participate in the protest, reported Karnataka Everyday.
According to the report, the Health and Family Welfare Department has issued directions to all government hospitals for not issuing any medical certificates to police personnel on health grounds for 4 June.
Asserting that policemen face human rights violation on a daily basis, around 60,000 cops decided to take mass leave on 4 June. The protest was against meagre salary, overburdened with work and a lack of scholarship or educational facilities for their children.
Interestingly, the policemen are not entitled to go on a strike like other government employees, hence they have decided to apply for leave, en masse, instead.
Though, the protesting policemen have received support from the BJP and APP, with suggestions that the government revise their salaries, the Congress-led state government has taken a stern stance to subdue the protest.
(Agencies)
