The city police have attributed the increasing number of attacks on constables at night to excessive alcohol consumption.
“More than known criminal elements, it is educated people and youth who have attacked cops under the influence of alcohol and drugs, in most of the cases,” said Bengaluru Police Commissioner T. Suneel Kumar.
13 attacks
The commissioner’s statement comes in the wake of 13 attacks on policemen in the city in the last one week.
Mr. Suneel Kumar had on Friday held a meeting of senior police officials, where he directed the police to open fire and shoot at the legs in self-defence if they were being attacked.
“The police manual allows for the use of any kind of force in certain cases. If need be, I have asked the cops to open fire if they are attacked. No attacks or assaults on policemen will be tolerated,” he said at a press conference on Saturday.
According to the police, several youths drinking and partying on the streets even in the wee hours is leading to law and order issues.
Availability of alcohol
“Where are these youths getting alcohol at that time, much beyond the deadline for closing bars and pubs? We will crack down on all bars and pubs in the city and enforce the deadline strictly,” said Mr. Kumar, adding that a special drive to enforce the deadline will be started soon.
“We will only book cases on bars violating permit norms. But after the fire at Kalasipalya bar and restaurant, we are closing them down for a month. We have shut down 30 such bars already,” he said.
Mr. Kumar has also put in place several new norms for patrolling in the city. Those on patrol have to mandatorily carry their service firearm.
New norms
More significantly, constables on night patrol have been asked not to venture out alone in sensitive areas and those without streetlights.
“In such areas at least four policemen should be on patrol and in constant touch with the control room, their police station and the Hoysala personnel,” he said.
