Siddaramaiah Questions Police Effectiveness, Says Mangaluru Peace Restored After Two Officer Transfers
Karnataka CM criticizes police force over communal violence handling and alleged links with criminals, emphasizing need for stronger commitment.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday strongly criticized the state police force, raising serious questions about their ability to control communal tensions and criminal activities across the state.
Speaking at a police event held at Vidhana Soudha banquet hall, the Chief Minister pointed to Mangaluru as a telling example. He noted that communal peace returned to the coastal city simply after two police officers were transferred from their posts.
“After transferring just two police officers in Mangaluru, the communal violence stopped. Now tell me did the new officers come from heaven? No, they are from your own force. If they can maintain peace, why can’t others do the same? It is possible. You just need the will to act,” Siddaramaiah said.
The event was organized to launch new police peak caps, introduce the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, and release a police booklet called Sanmatra.
Public Trust in Police Has Weakened
The Chief Minister expressed concern that people no longer fear or respect the police as they once did. He urged officers to think about why this change has happened.
“Just changing your cap won’t make any difference,” he said. “What needs to change is your professional commitment and how efficiently you work.”
Siddaramaiah issued a stern warning about police officers who allegedly maintain contact with criminals. He said this behavior has seriously damaged the reputation of the entire force.
“Some policemen are staying in touch with criminals or even working with them. This is completely unacceptable. Because of this attitude, people have lost their fear of the police,” he remarked.
CM Challenges Police on Drug Trade
The Chief Minister also challenged the police force on their approach to tackling the drug problem in Karnataka.
“Who are the drug dealers? Where are drugs entering our state from? Which routes are they using? Who are the troublemakers? Don’t the police know all this? They do know but they let them go free. These same people then become dangerous criminals. They must be stopped early. Otherwise, a ‘drug-free Karnataka’ will just remain empty words,” he warned.
He added that the Home Minister is serious about eliminating criminals and making Karnataka drug-free, but this goal can only be achieved if police officers cooperate fully. He stressed that officers should have “absolutely no relationship” with criminals.
Deputy CM Warns Against Political Pressure
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar also spoke at the event and reminded officers about staying professional and neutral.
“If you compromise your duty just to please others, you are selling yourself,” he warned.
Shivakumar recalled incidents from the previous government’s time when some police personnel in Vijayapura and Udupi removed their khaki uniforms and wore saffron robes during Ayudha Pooja celebrations.
“Such actions, done to impress political leaders or because of pressure, damage your integrity and the respect of the police department,” he said. “No matter which party is in power, your duty should never be compromised.”
Clear Message on Accountability
The Chief Minister’s strong words show the government’s frustration with failures in law enforcement. By using Mangaluru as an example, Siddaramaiah sent a clear message: strong leadership and honest work not politics or symbolic gestures are what truly maintain law and order in the state.
The remarks have sparked discussions within police circles about the need for reform and better accountability in handling sensitive situations.
