SP, DySP suspended for not enforcing election code Karnataka

Kolar, Karnataka, Apr 13 (UNI) Three police officials in this district have been placed under suspension for not enforcing the model code of conduct following a recommendation to this effect by the District Electoral Officer (DEO).

Deputy Commissioner G Ramachandrappa, who is also the DEO, told UNI today that Superintendent of Police Revanna, Deputy Superintendent of Police A Munireddy and Rural police station Circle Inspector Ramesh Kumar have been suspended as they had failed to enforce the model code of conduct.

The action by the DEO triggered protests by policemen who refused to resume duty today. Over 100 policemen from the district went to the Deputy Commissioner's office and staged a picketing agitation, demanding the withdrawal of suspension orders.

The action, as recommended by Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer M N Vidyashankar, comes in the wake of heightened factional feud in the Congress camp.

It was alleged that former Minister Srinivasa Gowda, tipped to get the Congress ticket from this town, was opposed to the action of another leader R Prakash. The latter, who was lobbying to get the ticket by upstaging the Minister, had organised some functions at temples and other places and offered a number of 'freebies' to the people attending those functions.

Mr Gowda make known his ire and had complained to the DEO, alleging that police remained mute spectators while the election code was being 'blatantly' violated.

UNI XR RS GL AS2226