Ex-cop leading Karnataka constables' June 4 mass leave arrested

Ahead of the threatened en masse leave protest by Karnataka constabulary on June 4, police have arrested the head of the association spearheading the stir. Akhila Karnataka Police Maha Sangha President V Shashidhar was arrested from his residence late last night, a top police official said on Wednesday.

"He has been arrested on Tuesday night and sent to judicial custody," City Police Commissioner N S Megharikh told PTI.

Shashidhar's family alleged that about 30 police personnel had come at midnight to arrest him and did not inform them about where he is being taken. "They (police) have taken him, about 30 of them were there, they did not give me any information where they were taking him, we were scared.”

“They again came back at 3.30 am and did the mahajar (work) and took computer and documents," Shashidhar's wife Poornima told media persons.

When the police came for the second time "I did not open door and asked them to come in the morning following which they threatened to break open the door," she claimed.

Bracing to deal with the threat by the constabulary to go on mass leave, the state government has already brought the state police and related services under the Essential Services Maintenance Act.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had on Tuesday warned against any act of ‘indiscipline’ by the force. The protest by the constabulary is against alleged harassment of lower rung police personnel by senior officials, lesser pay and no proper leave.