G Parameshwara defends suspension of Ballari SP, says he failed to handle situation

Tumakuru/Ballari: Defending the suspension of Superintendent of Police Pavan Nejjur, Home Minister G Parameshwara said on Saturday that the SP was not present at the spot during the group clash on Thursday night.

He failed to handle the situation. He should have been present at the spot, issued directions and brought the situation under control. Since that did not happen, he was placed on suspension, the Home minister told reporters here.

Replying to a query that the SP had taken charge only a few hours before the incident, Parameshwara said, “It is not important whether he reported to duty on the same day (of incident) or one hour back. Duty is duty. He is not new to the department. IPS officers are trained to handle such situations any time. If he had acted swiftly and promptly, he could have prevented the situation from escalating.” He did not discharge his duties properly. Hence he was suspended., the Home minister said.

Parameshwara added that an experienced SP will be posted to Ballari district soon.  

SP present on the spot

While the Home minister claimed the SP was not present in the spot, video clips purportedly showing Nejjur with DIG Vartika Katiyar at the spot have gone viral in social media.

The videos show Katiyar, along with the SP, taking stock of the situation at the spot where supporters of Bharath Reddy and Janardhana Reddy clashed, pelted stones and opened fire in the air. Katiyar is heard asking the SP “How many people have gathered?.” Also, the SP was seen giving instructions to his subordinates. And both the officers were seen inspecting the bloodstain on the road where the Congress worker suffered bullet injuries, who eventually succumbed to injuries.

Meanwhile, former minister B Sriramulu demanded the state government to revoke suspension of SP Pavan Nejjur. The SP, who took charge only 12 hours back, should have been given some time. The suspension was an ‘eyewash’. Instead the DySP, who acted as an agent of the Congress MLA, should have been suspended, he said.

Sriramulu urged the government to arrest the private gunman of the Congress leader who killed an innocent man, and suspend the DySP.