Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday called for strict action against those indulging in moral policing in the State.

He was speaking at a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan to award the President’s Medal to 47 officers. “We live in a diverse society which expects the police to be responsible. Certain groups have been trying to take law into their hands in the name of moral policing. The police should take stringent action against such elements,” he said. Siddaramaiah called upon the police to sharpen their skills to tackle new trends in crime.

“Self-satisfaction is the best award for policemen at the end of their service. We are witnessing heinous crimes such as sexual assault on children in schools. I understand that the police work under tremendous pressure. The officials who withstood the pressure in the line of duty have been chosen for the award,” Siddaramaiah said.

Governor Vajubhai Vala said police were always work-bound and not time-bound. “Police officials should not yield to pressure since they are the guardians of our villages and cities, like the Army on the borders. The police must ensure the safety of women, which ultimately reflects the law and order situation,”   he said.

The governor presented the gallantry awards to Gopal B Hosur (retired IGP) for his bravery during the anti-Veerappan operations in 1993, DySP G R Patil for his encounter with dacoits when he was police inspector in Belagavi Rural in 2007, Inspector T R Puttaswamy Gowda and constable K Rajesh for their bravery against Naxals at Mairoli near Udupi in 2010; and T Rangappa who shot at fleeing dacoits when he was the  inspector at KG Halli in Bengaluru in March 2011.

Seven officials received the Special Service Medals and 35 officials received the distinguished service medals.