1k protesting ‘cops’ booked under pandemic law

Ranchi: Hundreds of protesting assistant policemen were booked on Monday, the third day of their agitation at the Morhabadi ground from where they tried to march towards the chief minister Hemant Soren’s official residence, demanding a meeting with him for regularisation of their jobs.
Police said an FIR against 20 named and 1,000 unknown assistant police personnel was filed at the Lalpur station for public nuisance and violation of the Covid safety rules under relevant sections of the Epidemic Act.
While senior district administration officials had appealed to the protesters to withdraw their agitation, BJP, which recruited them purely on a contract basis when it was in power, supported their demand.
The assistant policemen, whose contract ended on August 19, are now demanding regularisation of their services.
Police said the protesters were stopped on their way towards the CM’s house by Ranchi SSP Surindra Jha and persuaded to return. However, a few of them broke down and blamed the government for not paying heed to their demands.
DSP (city) Amit Singh said, “The protesters have gathered at the spot despite our appeals to them, saying CrPC section 144 is effective across the state because of the Covid pandemic. They have violated the Epidemic Act and the lockdown norms.”
Speaking on the strike, DIG (Ranchi range) Akhilesh Jha said. “Technically speaking, they should not have worn the uniform. We, however, are not pressing on the issue as the proposal for extension of their service is at a very advanced stage. He informed that the policemen were appointed in ‘two plus three years format’ with the provision for yearly extension after two years.”
Senior police officials were camping at the site all day to ensure law and order. Around 500 police personnel were also deployed at the ground and other sensitive places of the city, including the Governor’s and the CM’s residences.