Police should focus on preventing caste discrimination: CM Siddaramaiah

The scrouge of caste system continues to affect the weakest in society and the police should be constantly vigilant to fight it, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here on Saturday.

Addressing the police officers at the investiture ceremony, while presenting the President’s Distinguished Service Medal, President’s Commendable Service Medal, and the Union Home Minister’s Medal to police officers and personnel at Raj Bhavan, he called upon the police to take strong measures against atrocities meted out to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

“Though the government has set up Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) stations in every district, I have observed that the police stations are not functioning satisfactorily,” he said.

Compared to the other States, Karnataka is lagging in terms of conviction rate in the atrocities cases, Mr. Siddaramiah noted, and said the police should focus on it and ensure justice to the weaker sections guaranteed under the Constitution.

Karnataka governor Thawarchand Ghelot, present at the occasion, said that the medals presented recognise officers and personnel who have demonstrated indomitable courage, exemplary service spirit, and outstanding efficiency in ensuring peace and security in the state.

He also called for enhanced use of technology in maintaining law and order, especially in tackling new-age crimes such as cybercrime.

The awaredees included ADGP (Law and Order) R. Hitendra, ADGP K.V. Sharath Chandra, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh, ADGP S. Murugan and IGP B.R. Ravikante Gowda.