KSISF cops often picked fights with metro staff, papers show

From abuse to manhandling and misuse of authority, KSISF personnel appear to have earned notoriety among Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) employees, according to documents which show a trail of complaints against the constables.

The July 6 incident that saw Metro employees retaliating after a Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF) constable slapped an electronics  maintenance staffer with the BMRCL seems to be an outburst of pent-up anger.

Documents provided by BMRCL sources show Metro staffers handled previous issues as per the protocol, by writing to the chief security officer (CSO).

“Most of the complaints were dealt with internally. At least that’s what we were told. It has been about a year since KSISF personnel were posted. While most of them are professional, some have constantly created problems for us as well as passengers,” a BMRCL staffer said.

The only exception was in May when the CSO alerted the KSISF commandant after a constable slapped a passenger. The passenger had come at the Cubbon Park Metro station along with his wife and child.

The constable on duty abused him and asked him to get out over a silly reason.  “Finally, when the passenger was about to leave, the constable followed him and slapped him hardly,” the complaint says.

Documents show the same constable had picked up an issue with a senior HAL official last year. Though the HAL official threatened to file a case, the issue was settled internally. “After the slapping incident, he was relieved from Metro services but brought back later,” KSISF sources said.

Free Metro ride

Some months ago, a constable used the concession travel card at the Vidhana Soudha station to help his “brother” travel for free on Metro. His card was later seized. Besides the Metro staff, security guards and housekeepers also complained about the “high-handedness” of the constables.

Finally, more than 10 such employees wrote a letter, accusing a constable of abusing them without a reason. “He threatened to kick us if we do not follow his orders. We have complained about the issue 20 times but to no avail,” they stated.

“Many issues did not make news. We helped a KSISF constable when he was cornered by 15 lawyers. He had abused two lawyers the previous day at the Central College station. We talked to them and settled the issue,” a staffer said.

Sources said some constables’ lack of professionalism tarnished the reputation of the entire force.
“We have no police powers. We are a security force with a set of guidelines and we should stick to them. Some of us don’t get that,” a constable said.