Bengaluru, DHNS: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday came down heavily on the intelligence wing of the state police for its failure to accurately predict various incidents of mass violence in Karnataka in the recent times.

“The protest by garment factory workers in Bengaluru turned violent. Then, there were violent protests over the Cauvery issue in Benglauru, Ramanagaram, Mandya and Mysuru. Such incidents indicate the failure of the state’s intelligence wing,” he said after presenting various medals to police officers at the Raj Bhavan.

The chief minister acknowledged that intelligence wing officers were using traditional methods and were hence unable to gather definite leads on incidents of violence. He said that the state government was planning to take several steps to strengthen the intelligence wing.

Siddaramaiah also expressed his displeasure over incidents of indiscipline that had brought “disrepute” to the force. “There was a time when the Karnataka police was known as a disciplined force in the country. But some officers with vested interests tarnished this image,” he said. “The government will not tolerate any kind of indiscipline.” The chief minister was likely referring to the Akhila Karnataka Police Mahasangha’s call to lower-rung personnel to go on mass leave on June 4, 2016, in protest against poor pay, harassment by senior officers and improper leave structure among other issues.

He continued, “Police personnel should be physically and mentally fit. Lack of mental fitness is driving some policemen to suicide. Suicide is not the only solution to all the problems.” This was a likely reference to some DySPs committing suicide alleging harassment by the higher-ups.

Home Minister G Parameshwara said that the government was considering changing the nature of training imparted to police personnel. “Police should be people friendly. They should have the capability to detect crimes in a technology-driven society. The government is thinking of reforming the training given to police,” he said.

At the ceremony, three police officers received Gallantry Medal, eight President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and 55 Police Medal for Meritorious Service. DG&IGP Om Prakash and other senior police officers were present on the occasion.