Hyderabad: Battalion constables across Telangana protested on Saturday demanding the implementation of a single police system. Family members of constables and constables participated in the protest activities, tv9 telugu reported.
Constables of the fourth battalion protested in Mamunur, Warangal district at the commandant’s office of the battalion. Nalgonda rural SI Saida Babu faced protest, when the constables of the 12th battalion sloganeered ‘SI go back’. The family members of the battalion constables protested in Ibrahimpatnam, Rangareddy district on Sagar Road.
Wives of constables detained:
On Friday, wives of police constables were detained when they protested in front of the BR Ambedkar Secretariat to demand relief for their husbands from 26 days of continuous work without a break.
What triggered the protests?
The women said that their husbands were being treated as labourers at the battalion campus and the regular transfers were affecting their lives adversely. They said that their husbands should be given the opportunity to perform their duties at one place by implementing the single police policy. They also questioned why their husbands have to stay away from home for extended periods of time.
The protests are being held to highlight the poor working conditions of police constables in Armed Reserve (AR) and Telangana State Special Police (TGSP) and the impact it is having on their families.
One wife of a constable, who is two-months pregnant, said that there was no one to bring groceries at home and that she was taking care of her 18-month-old son by herself due to her husband’s excessive working hours.
“I do all the household work, take care of my son and now am 2-months pregnant. My in-laws are elderly and I have no other help. Who will take me to the hospital for scanning?” she asked.
The women demand eight-hour work shifts, fair postings and work hours for their husbands.
‘Police Department’s image must be protected’:
The Director General of Police said that the police department will consider the concerns of TGSP personnel on merits & with sympathy. He further stated that the personnel receive surrender leaves and additional surrender leaves, a benefit not extended to other government departments in view of hard duties performed by Police even during festivals and holidays.
“Moreover salaries and allowances to police personnel in the state are highest compared to other states. In such circumstances, it is not appropriate for TGSP personnel to protest in the streets. TGSP is a uniformed and disciplines force, and the Police department’s image must be protected,” the DGP stated.
