IPS officer letter triggers political slugfest in Karnataka

A reported missive by an IPS officer highlighting "serious chink in the armour" of security in the state has triggered a political slugfest with the BJP targetting the ruling Congress.
State IPS association president and ADGP R P Sharma has recently written to the chief secretary Ratna Prabha claiming the law and order situation in the state was "deteriorating."
In the letter, which has been widely circulated in the media, he reportedly cited a series of incidents, including the attack on Lokayukta Justice Vishwanatha Shetty in his office here last week.
Sharma alleged there was a "pattern" to it.
"This all indicates serious chink in the armour of the security fabric," he said.

"..Even the senior public servants likeLokayukta, senior IAS officers and various common people arevictim of these attacks in the environment which could bepresumed very safe in the normal circumstances," the letter said.

He said people used to rush to public offices when attacked but today the situation is no more the same.
Seeking an appointment with the chief secretary, he said he would demonstrate to her how officers have been demoralised.
"The investigation has been hijacked by the politician inimportant cases and law breakers have lost fear of police.. the specialised agencies headed by senior IPS officers have also become redundant on account of such interferences,"

Sharma said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters he has not read the letter.
However, official sources said Siddaramaiah, who is facing the assembly polls in the coming months, was unhappy over the top police official's letter.
The sources said he has taken a strong view over the matter and conveyed his displeasure to Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, the chief secretary and DGP Neelamani Raju.
In a meeting convened last night, Siddaramaiah stated that he cannot tolerate such indiscipline and also wanted to know how the letter addressed to the chief secretary was leaked to the media, they said.
The BJP seized on the issue with opposition leader Jagadish Shettar mincing no words in attacking the government.

"The letter by the IPS officer points to the way chief minister and his government are functioning. There is no respect for sincere officers while there is protection to the corrupt people," he said.
"What proof is required now to show the pathetic law and order situation in the state," he added.