Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government will stand by police personnel who work honestly and lawfully, but will not protect those who act against the law, Home Minister Priyank Kharge said on Monday.
Priyank, who also holds the Information Technology, Biotechnology and E-Governance portfolios, made the remarks at an interaction programme titled 'Samvada with the Home Minister' at Dr B R Ambedkar Auditorium here.
Addressing police personnel from different districts, he said the responsibility of the police department was not limited to maintaining law and order.
The department played a crucial role in the state's social and economic development and in maintaining Karnataka's reputation as a safe destination for investment.
The minister directed the police to take up the 'Beda Bro' campaign against synthetic drugs, ganja and other narcotic substances in mission mode.
Local police are generally aware of who consumes and sells drugs within their jurisdictions and which medical shops or pharmacies dispense medicines without prescriptions, he said.
“It is not right to wait for a specific target to be given before providing such information,” he said, stressing that the issue concerned the future of our children.
Drug consumption was contributing to an increase in criminal cases, Priyank said, adding that the problem was not confined to Bengaluru, Mangaluru or Belagavi.
Ganja cultivation had been detected in rural areas as well, including Chittapur and Chincholi, he said.
He said a situation should not arise where police from neighbouring states come and conduct searches despite local police having information about such activities.
Priyank said police must adopt a strict approach towards controlling rowdy activities.
Police personnel generally have information about those involved in such activities in their respective jurisdictions. However, at times, police themselves were helping such persons build their influence, he said.
He directed police personnel to completely stop associating with rowdies, sharing information with them, attending their birthday celebrations, taking photographs with them or encouraging them in any manner.
“Rowdies should fear the police, not the public. Only those who commit wrongdoing should fear the police,” Priyank said.
He said rowdies were adversely affecting children and youngsters and, therefore, police personnel should not develop any kind of understanding or nexus with them. “If the hands of police personnel are clean, rowdies will fear the police,” he said.
With the increasing use of technology, cybercrimes were also rising in rural areas, Priyank said.
Cyber fraud, digital arrest scams, financial crimes, cyberbullying, eve-teasing and sextortion were among the offences increasingly being committed online.
He directed police to respond with utmost sensitivity when women approach them with complaints about the misuse of their private photographs or videos.
The minister said police duties were highly stressful and that a separate plan would be formulated to prioritise not only their physical health but also their mental well-being.
He said the government would focus on issues concerning the families of police personnel.
In the coming days, promotions would not be considered solely on the basis of years of service. Performance and the ability to effectively implement government priorities would also be given importance, he said.
The minister said people should not hesitate to approach the police for any reason. Police personnel need not behave like friends with the public, but they must treat them with humanity and dignity, he said.
Priyank urged police personnel to work honestly, lawfully and responsibly.
“As long as you work according to the law, the Home minister and the government will stand with you. But if you act against the law, there will be no protection of any kind,” he warned.
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