Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Updated
Mangaluru, May 26: The appointment of IPS officer Satheesh Kumar to the post of police commissioner of Mangaluru city has been stayed by the state government.
The decision comes in the wake of a complaint to chief minister Siddaramaiah by minister U T Khader and other Congress legisalators from Mangaluru against Satheesh Kumar's appointment.
As per an order issued by the government on Thursday May 25, Satheesh Kumar was to replace police commissioner Chandra Sekhar, who has been transferred as IGP of CID and economic offences, Bengaluru.
The Congress leaders led by Khader had pointed out to the CM that Satheesh had been the SP of Dakshina Kannada during the infamous Mangaluru church attacks in 2008, in the aftermath of which worshippers were allegedly subjected to police atrocity.
Sources said that there is possibility of the government appointing another officer for the post of police commissioner.
Earlier Report
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 26: Congress leaders from the Dakshina Kannada district, including minister U T Khader and legislators, are reportedly unhappy with the appointment of IPS officer Satheesh Kumar to the post of police commissioner of Mangaluru city.
Soon after the state government issued transfer orders of IPS officers including Mangaluru police commissioner Chandra Sekhar, the Congress leaders led by minister U T Khader are understood to have spoken to chief minister Siddaramaiah and expressed their dissatisfaction with Satheesh Kumar's appointment.
The transfer order reportedly came as a surprise to Congress legislators in Mangaluru.
Now, reports suggest that due to opposition from U T Khader and other leaders, the handing over of charge to the new police commissioner may be delayed or even cancelled altogether.
It is said that when Satheesh Kumar had earlier served as SP of Dakshina Kannada district, people had complaints regarding law and order. The infamous church attacks in 2008 and the subsequent police atrocity on worshippers had taken place during Kumar's tenure. Now with elections coming, the government has sent a wrong signal to the people of Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada by appointing Kumar as the police chief of the city, say Congress leaders.
Sources said that U T Khader, in his complaint to the CM, has especially pointed out to Satheesh Kumar's alleged role in the police atrocity in Ullal following the church attacks. The Congress leaders have contended that at a time when outgoing police commissioner Chandra Sekhar had instilled confidence in the citizens by maintaining law and order, the appointment of Satheesh Kumar would demoralise them.