JOIN USWhen the spurt in crimes targetting women and children are evoking wide spread criticism in the State, calling for stringent safety and security measures, the alleged apathy of the State government in providing security to the Chairperson of Karnataka State Women’s Commission, has come to fore.
Even four months after being nominated as the head of the Commission on June 22, Manjula Manasa is still waiting the allotment of a gunman, a privilege she is entitled to, as she enjoys the status of a minister of State, according to the order issued by the government.
Two months ago, Manjula wrote a letter to the office of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Intelligence, Bangalore for allotting a gunman, but nothing has materialised, Manjula told Deccan Herald. However, ADGP (Intelligence) A M Prasad was not available for comment.
As is the procedure, the gunman will be drawn from the reserve forces like District Armed Reserve (DAR) or City Armed Reserve (CAR) police forces. He will be armed with automatic pistol with at least 10 rounds of bullets. In case of any danger to the life of VIP he is protecting, he can fire on his volition either in air, or below the knee of the assailants.
Manjula said, security cover was a must, especially after an incident like assault on the Director General of Administrative Training Institute (ATI) Rashmi V Mahesh who also holds the charge of Regional Commissioner, which exposed the vulnerability of women to danger.
“I had once got a reply from the ADGP office that they will look into it. At the same time a policeman from Bangalore had also evinced interest in taking up the job, but I don’t know what happened later,” Manjula said.
The Chairperson however claimed that this had not deterred her from touring the State to hear to the women’s grievances. In the last four months Manjula has covered seven districts and will be travelling to Mumbai next month where Mumbai Kannadigara Sangha have organised a seminar on women related issues.
In the absence of personal security arrangements, the local police who form a part of the security ring during the programmes, have1 come in handy for her.
According to the Karnataka Police Manual, in the security details of deputy chief minister or state minister, the duties and responsibilities of gunman have been mentioned elaborately. The gunman has to accompany the VIP or on move in tandem with the local police.
DH News Service