BBMP may go in for task force

Employees worried over increasing attacks

“We wanted an answer for our concerns on security when on duty. Some of the more sensitive works that we as Palike workers do is to clear encroachments. The assault on our Joint Commissioner has increased our concerns of safety,” the Union Secretary, Subramanya told Deccan Herald.

Nearly 2,000 Palike employees took part in the dharna. Allaying their fears, the commissioner Bharat Lal Meena said he himself had raised the matter with the government. The employees had to be vigilant and take necessary precautions on duty with certain sensitive matters. It is learnt that Meena will be making a request for police protection to his employees besides having their own task force while undertaking sensitive works.

Non-cognisable

Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari reiterated that the police had acted as per law in the episode related to the alleged slapping of a BBMP assistant engineer Somaraju by the Housing and Muzrai Minister V Somanna. He told this newspaper that the police had indeed received the complaint by the engineer’s wife, but did not register a case since it was non-cognisable in nature. However, the report submitted by the local police inspector and three other BBMP officials indicate that the minister took the engineer for task but did not slap.

Bidari said, Somaraju could approach the ACP, DCP, Additional Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Police or DG and lodge a complaint against the minister. If he doesn’t have faith in the police, he can always approach the JMFC. Without he lodging the complaint, the police can’t do anything. “Our doors are welcome, Somaraju can drop in any time, without any fear and we are here to take the complaint and do the needful,” added Bidari.

He asserted that what the jurisdictional police did was within the purview of the law.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Youth Congress Committee of Govindrajnagar assembly constituency met Bidari and submitted a memorandum urging him for a detailed inquiry. However, Bidari clarified that the police had acted as per law.

Somaraju better

Meanwhile, BBMP Assistant Engineer Somaraju is doing better at the hospital, according to his relatives. “He has begun to have food and is talking. But he is still under shock,” said his brother-in-law, Venkatesh. The family, it is learnt, will be taking him home in the next couple of days.

The family is now awaiting an acknowledgment from the police for registering a case against the minister. After this, they will consult their lawyer and file a case with the State Human Rights Commission or the High Court.