Kumaraswamy against troubling road-users in city

Kumaraswamy against troubling road-users in city

The Hindu

I would like to travel like any other citizen in Bangalore: Chief Minister

# Decision soon on rewarding personnel who took part in operations against Veerappan
# Good officers will be encouraged, says Chief Minister

Bangalore: In a clear message to the city traffic police, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has advised them against placing curbs on the movement of vehicular traffic when his convoy passes through a point in the city.

Following the people-friendly decision of the late Ramakrishna Hegde not to trouble road-users, Mr. Kumaraswamy told the traffic police that his entourage and he would move amidst other vehicles and there was no need for them to stop other vehicles.

Addressing senior police officers, Mr. Kumaraswamy said: "I would like to travel like any other citizen in Bangalore. The other road-users should not curse me for stopping their vehicles, and they should not be inconvenienced. The curbs could be resorted to only if it is necessary and important," he said.

He also hinted at providing more facilities to improve the traffic management in the city.

The Chief Minister said the Government would decide on rewarding the police officers who took part in the anti-Veerappan operations, at the earliest. The previous Government had made such an announcement.

Asked whether his Government would retain the present set of senior police officers, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he would take an appropriate decision on the issue. He hinted at removing those who dabbled in politics in the last 15 days.

The Government would encourage good officers. But, he noted that many policemen at the junior levels had managed to remain in Bangalore.

The Chief Minister disagreed that there was failure on the part of the city police in providing protection to scientists attending a conference at the Indian Institute of Science when terrorists struck there. In fact, the city police were quick in investigation and arresting those involved in the attack.

Though the incident was unfortunate, the police did a "wonderful job," he added.