DG & IGP Om Prakash said the alleged atrocities by police personnel on farmers protesting against the verdict of Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal in Nargund, Navalgund, and Hubballi-Dharwad was subject to verification.
He was speaking to newsmen after attending the passing-out parade by successful trainees at the Karnataka State Police Training Institute at Khanapur on Saturday.
Apparently defending the police officials and personnel, he said the police could not be mute spectator when members of a crowd indulge in destruction of public and private property. “What should the police do when people throw stones at court buildings, burn public property and ransack government offices?” Obviously, the police would take action all those who are part of the crowd indulging in unruly behaviour and breaking law and order, he said.
To a question on whether innocent people were also being victimised by the police, he said he had already ordered the officials to take appropriate action after verification of such claims. He has advised the police to let free those who were innocent.
