Police facing tough times by miscreants

Mysuru: Police personnel may have been showered with praise from all sections of society for their services during the lockdown. But still, they are facing tough times because of their run-ins with miscreants.
To alleviate related fears, senior officers are sensitising cops on duty and speaking to their family to reduce their anxiety level.
IGP Vipul Kumar, who heads southern police range of five districts — Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan and Kodagu — admitted that police personnel who are at the forefront of Covid-19 duty are under stress. The department has taken necessary steps to keep them confident and also boost their morale during the crisis.
Incidents of attack on police have left them demoralised, and this is adding to their work pressure.
A woman constable posted at a containment zone was recently bitten by youth in a bid to escape from the police in Mysuru city while another head constable was allegedly assaulted by a drunken individual in Mandya while the cop was attending to the distress call by the man’s wife. Though there hasn’t been any major incident, cops are facing challenges each passing day.
To avoid visiting is home regularly, a constable with Mysuru district police has been staying at the workplace itself. He visits home once in five days, and the reason is obvious. Of late, the nature of police job has changed. “We have to ensure the safety to medical staff while quarantining contacts, and also educate public about the lockdown rules. I have faced some unsavoury situations while dealing with people in rural areas. Unlike earlier, we have to take care of ourselves, else there are chances of contracting the virus,” he said.
A N Prakash Gowda, deputy commissioner of police (law and order), Mysuru city, said the youth who bit the hand of woman constable has been arrested and sent behind the bars. “This would act as deterrent. We have asked senior officers to take care of personnel working at sensitive places like hospitals and containment zones,” the DCP added.
Wine shop challenge
After wine shops were opened, police have been facing another challenge of attending to incidents of assault by drunkards. Two murders have happened in the recent past in Mysuru, as also two chain-snatching incidents. An officer said police are dealing with law and order issues even while prioritising Covid-19-related duty. “The challenge lies in taking precautions as it is difficult to make out an infected person,” the officer added.